Ruby Valley Medical Center Provides Ultrasound with Echocardiogram Services

The Ruby Valley Medical Center is pleased to announce the expansion of its diagnostic imaging services with the acquisition of the Canon APL10-A550 Ultrasound system. In addition to providing standard diagnostic ultrasound imaging, echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms will also be conveniently available for Ruby Valley residents.

“Canon took the high points of other systems and combined them into this system,” said MaryAnn Birdsill, Radiology Department Manager at Ruby Valley Medical Center. Birdsill has been especially impressed with the clarity of the images. “It does everything we’re ever going to want it to do, in particular echocardiograms and stress echos.”

Ultrasounds for general diagnostics such as images of the pelvis, abdomen, carotid artery, thyroid and deep vein thrombosis are performed every other Friday by Ali Anderson. These ultrasound images are sent electronically to Intercity Radiology in Bozeman for evaluation and the results are sent to your primary care provider or specialist.

Landon Dybdal, CEO at Ruby Valley Medical Center, confirmed that echocardiograms will be available in September and stress echocardiograms will begin later this fall. “We’re waiting on a certification from the state and one more piece of equipment before we’re ready to roll with the echos and stress echos. But these last hurdles should be cleared away very soon,” said Dybdal. A specialist in cardiac ultrasounds, Michelle Douglas, will be coming to Sheridan on alternating Fridays to take the images. Once a month, Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Robert Minor will consult with patients in Sheridan and analyze the echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms.

Birdsill is very excited by how this technology can help cardiac patients in the Ruby Valley. “With this system, we can actually see the heart at work with the Doppler!” she exclaimed. Stress echocardiograms are performed while the patient is walking on a treadmill. An echocardiogram takes images of the heart while the patient is stationery.

The healthcare providers at Ruby Valley Medical Center will also have the opportunity to be trained to use the ultrasound system in the emergency room for fast scans of abdominal issues. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Dayna Thergesen prefers ultrasounds to CT scans or x-rays for her young patients. Scott Rigdon, CRNA plans to use the ultrasound as part of his non-surgical pain management treatments.

“We are very pleased to provide another important healthcare service for our community. With the new ultrasound, our patients can avoid a long drive to Dillon, Ennis or Butte for this diagnostic service,” said Dybdal.