Jan. 18, 2018 (Brownsville, Texas) Valley Regional Medical Center, a facility with HCA Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division,  has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Breast MRI) after a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Breast MRI offers valuable information about many breast conditions that may not be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.

“I am pleased to be able to offer the option of Breast MRI to those patients that merit additional surveillance, said Gabriel Guajardo, M.D., an obstetrician / gynecologist. “It serves as an additional advanced tool for earlier detection of harmful lesions in those patients with a genetic predisposition or a strong family history of breast cancer. The information it provides allows me to feel confident my patients are receiving the highest level of care possible.”

Breast MRI’s are used most often for breast cancer diagnosis and staging as well as to screen women at a higher risk for breast cancer. In comparison to mammography alone, mammography plus a Breast MRI can increase detection of breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and women with a strong family history of breast cancer.

Valley Regional Medical Center offers a high-risk screening program to all mammography patients. This includes genetic testing for patients that may be at an elevated risk of developing breast, ovarian, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and endometrial cancer, as well as melanoma.

“Health care is personal, and information is powerful. At Valley Regional we provide the treatment you need, the quality care you deserve and medical professionals who are truly committed to your health,” said Art Garza, chief executive officer for Valley Regional Medical Center.

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 Parameters 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 that can be used for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. The organization serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Cutline for attached photo: Juan Ayala, MRI technologist at Valley Regional Medical Center, stands next to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine.

 

About Valley Regional Medical Center

Valley Regional Medical Center is conveniently located at the corner of Expressway 77 and Alton Gloor Boulevard in Brownsville.  With physicians representing over 25 specialties, Valley Regional Medical Center is a leader in a vast array of high quality programs, including surgical robotics program, advanced diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, bariatric surgery, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, women’s services, pediatric services and neonatal intensive care. Valley Regional Medical is a nationally accredited Advanced Primary Stroke Center and our Emergency Department is designated as an Advanced Level III Trauma Center treating a wide range of emergent needs 24 hours a day. For more information on Valley Regional Medical Center’s programs and services, visit our website at Valley Regional Medical Center.

 

About HCA Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division

HCA Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and diagnostic imaging facilities in greater Houston, Corpus Christi and South Texas.  Facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include:  17 hospitals, nine ambulatory care centers, 10 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one phone call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150- mile radius.  For more information, visit HCA Gulf Coast