New Women's Diagnostic Center Focus on Comfort as well as Prevention, Diagnosis

Specialists at the Women's Diagnostic Center at The Community Hospital in Munster understand how a comfortable environment can help ease patients' concerns about upcoming medical tests and procedures. That's why, along with the most advanced medical technology and resources, the hospital's new 3,500-square-foot facility has been designed around all the needs of patients.

The Women's Diagnostic Center at Community offers a home-like atmosphere for patients undergoing mammograms, bone density screenings, ultrasounds or breast biopsies. Patients await procedures in a flower-filled, living-room-like waiting area with couches where, attired in plush robes, they may enjoy a variety of complimentary food and beverages. Dressing rooms will be private with personal toiletries.

It's a concept borne by a year of research and tours of similar facilities nationwide, revealing what works best for women patients.

"We want women's health care to be as non-threatening a part of their everyday life as going to the beauty shop, something they will incorporate into their lives," said Edward P. Robinson, Administrator of Community Hospital.

Most of the procedures at the center will focus on wellness and preventative health measures, all performed on an outpatient basis. The new facility promises to deliver the most advanced technology and outpatient procedures now available. The center will contain two advanced Mammomat systems for mammograms; a DXA bone densitometer for bone density screenings; two ultrasound systems; and the ABBI (Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation), a minimally invasive alternative for breast biopsies.

With the Mammomat, patients experience quick and relatively painfree mammograms with the clearest results now available.

The ABBI technology allows women undergoing breast biopsies to do so in an outpatient setting and to return to normal activities the next day. The system utilizes a 3-dimensional mammogram and a guidance computer to pinpoint a lump with the highest degree of accuracy and then guides its removal with the least disturbance to surrounding healthy tissue.

Women undergoing bone density screenings may do so quickly and painlessly, while lying fully clothed on a padded table.

Securing peace of mind won't stop with a test or procedure. Patients, and the general public, are invited to learn as much as they wish about a variety of women's health topics by visiting or phoning the onsite resource center. A resource person will be available to answer questions over the phone or in person and can provide materials on a multitude of women's health and wellness topics. The Resource Center offers books, magazines, pamphlets and videotapes. Items may be checked out, if needed.

"The resource person will go over the materials we have and answer any questions, providing personalized care all geared toward women leading healthier lives. You don't have to be a patient at Community Hospital. We want to be a health resource for the community," said Sue Boulden, director of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology at Community Hospital.

"The Women's Diagnostic Center will provide a comfortable, central facility for women's special needs," she said. "We hope women will take advantage of this opportunity for a lifelong healthy living."