News

Contact: Sasha Dull

“We are pleased that the Mammography Department has been awarded a three-year term of re-accreditation as the result of a survey by the American College of Radiology,” announces Bill Sexton, Chief Executive Officer at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. “The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.”

Tim Clark, Medical Imaging Director states, “Our staff is committed to patient safety and satisfaction and service excellence. By obtaining ACR mammography accreditation, patients coming to Prairie du Chien Memorial can be assured they are receiving the best care possible. I invite women to visit our Mammography Department and see why we have a 98% patient satisfaction rate!”

Mammography is the best tool in early diagnosis, giving patients a much better chance of survival and leading a long, productive life. The hospital encourages women to talk to their physician about scheduling a mammogram, or if there are no breast symptoms, call PdC Memorial and make an appointment yourself to complete your yearly physical. PdC Memorial Hospital accepts self referrals by women who are not having any symptoms. Women who are having symptoms, must first see their healthcare provider.

The American Cancer Society lists the warning signs of breast cancer: a palpable lump, a bloody or cloudy discharge, skin dimpling or shape change, change in skin texture or color and breast sores that do not heal. All women over age 30 should do monthly breast self-exams. Breast cancer screenings for women age 40 and over include a mammogram and Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) annually. For women in their 20s and 30s, it is recommended to have a Clinical Breast Exam at least every 3 years, and women in their 20s may choose whether or how often to do a breast self-exam.