FEATURES

Hidden truth found in Diagnostic Imaging

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jake E. Carter
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  At the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center, broken bones, pregnancy, cancer, torn ligaments all can be seen in one clinic: Diagnostic Imaging.

The 99th Medical Group Diagnostic Imaging Clinic is divided into seven sections to quickly and efficiently find out what's happening in a patient's body.

"Diagnostic Imaging consists of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Ultrasound, X-ray, Computed Tomography and Mammography," said Tech. Sgt. Melissa Quesenberry, 99th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron Diagnostic Imaging Flight chief.

Diagnostic Imaging provides support throughout the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center and is integral to the health and welfare of their patients including those who are referred there for imaging.

"We (serve) 60,000 patients a year and on an average day we usually see around 150 patients," Quesenberry said.

Typically, patients are referred to Diagnostic Imaging after seeing their provider.

"Patients will arrive at our front desk and we will enter them into our system," Quesenberry said. "From there they will have their images taken by a technologist and they will be sent over to the radiologist. When the patient is done with us, the films will go to the physician."

While working in Diagnostic Imaging, staff must always be aware of how much ionizing radiation they are exposed to at any given time.

Maj. Steven Graves, 99th MSGS radiation safety officer, is there to make sure procedures are followed to ensure safety for staff and patients.

"We make sure regulations are followed and that patients don't get dosed over the radiation limits," Graves said. "Another thing is we make sure medical equipment is working properly and that it also gives accurate results."

Airmen working in Diagnostic Imaging know their highest priority is their patients.

"The mission is to take care of our patients," Quesenberry said. "We have over 238,000 Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries in the local area. Our imagery will be able to give patients a diagnosis to find out what could be wrong."