Real-time ultrasound assessment available at Gundersen St. Joseph's

Always on the cutting edge of technology, Gundersen Health System's Imaging team is one of the first in the Tri-state Region to offer real-time ultrasound assessment via remote imaging and Gundersen St. Joseph's is one of the first in the system to be included in the new service.

By using remote imaging, Gundersen radiologists can provide further clinical assessment during an ultrasound exam and aid in making a diagnosis. In many cases, this ability can allow for a speedy, higher-quality exam with greater accuracy.

The new service streams a live ultrasound signal from Hillsboro direct to a radiologist at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. During the exam, the radiologist in La Crosse can speak to the patient and the sonographer, view the scan as it happens and ask the sonographer to recheck certain areas or adjust the view. The result is a higher-quality, more accurate ultrasound exam.

"If an exam appears atypical, it is best to talk to the sonographer directly and try to best figure out the diagnosis together," says Brian Manske, MD, radiologist at Gundersen Health System. "I rely on their skill to produce high-quality images at a remote location. There is a lot of back and forth conversation that takes place in the exam room, and remote imaging makes this possible."

Ultrasound assessment via remote imaging is recommended for such things as lumps and bumps, appendicitis and many exams that are considered atypical.

"Using remote imaging in this way is going to have such a positive effect on our patients and their ability to seek care close to home," states Dee Olson, director of Medical Imaging at Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital and Clinics. "It will decrease the turnaround time for results and patients won't have the cost associated with driving to La Crosse. Patients can also feel confident with the results, knowing a specially trained radiologist has interpreted them."