Washington County Memorial Hospital Upgrades Radiology Equipment

Potosi – Washington County Memorial Hospital, is pleased to announce upgraded digital x-ray equipment in the radiology department.

Washington County Memorial Hospital has seen a rise in the number of general x-rays ordered, particularly chest x-rays, since the onset of the COVID pandemic. In the last six months, the number of chest x-rays ordered has risen from an average of 240 to 320 a month.

This new digital x-ray equipment will decrease patient time and physical contact with employees and multiple pieces of equipment. This will be achieved through decreased exam times with instant image display after exposure and the reduction in deep cleaning of multiple pieces of equipment between patients. Decreased cleaning times is accomplished by cutting out the use of a manual processor and cassettes that need to be deep cleaned after each exam. These reductions in time leads to decreased turnaround time of results to the patients especially apparent in ER/Urgent Care for critical and STAT patients. Digital x-ray equipment also increases the sensitivity and quality of the image which can detect COVID sooner and more accurately over conventional CR (computed radiography) x-ray.

The COVID pandemic brought this new technology to light for this project. Washington County Memorial Hospital worked with the Washington County Commission to receive funding for this much needed upgrade. Washington County Memorial Hospital had been researching funds over the last 4 years to purchase this technology after the recommendation from Medicare was made to replace all analog and CR general x-ray equipment by 2018. This purchase will help with COVID exposure to patients and employees and will also bring WCMH up to Medicare’s current recommendations.

“We truly appreciate the funding received from the County Commission to assist the hospital in bringing this project to our community,” says CEO, Michele Meyer. “Washington County Memorial Hospital is dedicated to continually improving services and accessibility for our entire community.”

“I am very proud that we live in a community where projects like this can be accomplished collaboratively for the betterment of our community,” says Board Chairman, Melvin Warden.

The County Commission was able to fund this $500,000 project through American Rescue Plan Funding.

Washington County Memorial Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital who strives to maintain best practices and a full continuum of care for all patients in our community and surrounding communities. WCMH is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides a wide array of support services for all patient needs. The longstanding community hospital is a cornerstone for quality, compassionate healthcare. Our healthcare family is committed to your family right here, close to home.