The growing trend of seated mammography is making a significant impact on the medical community, particularly at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County (MHSC) and Converse Memorial Hospital in Douglas. These are the only two hospitals in Wyoming equipped with the Danish-made VELA Mammography Chair. Tracie Soller, Director of Imaging at MHSC, has emphasized the many benefits of seated mammography, highlighting its significant impact on patients who find traditional mammograms uncomfortable or challenging. This innovative approach is not only changing patient experiences but also enhancing the quality of imaging.
Patient Comfort and Safety
The Advantage for Unsteady Patients
The VELA Mammography Chair has been specifically designed to provide significant benefits for patients who are unsteady, use a walker or cane, are wheelchair-bound, overweight, experiencing dizziness, or recovering from a stroke. By allowing these patients to sit during the procedure, the chair significantly reduces the risk of falls and injuries. This becomes especially critical for patients who are already anxious or unable to relax during the procedure, which can further complicate the imaging process.The chair’s stable platform is another key feature that addresses patient safety and comfort. By reducing patient motion, it ensures not just comfort but also clearer imaging outcomes, which are imperative for accurate diagnosis. When patients are anxious or have difficulty standing still, the resulting images can be blurred or unclear, requiring repeat scans. The VELA chair minimizes these risks. Its wheels lock into place, providing stability, and the electric height adjustment feature allows the mammographer to position the patient optimally, avoiding any awkward or uncomfortable positions that might compromise both the patient’s comfort and the quality of the images. Soller emphasizes that the mere presence of the chair in the imaging room reassures patients that the hospital is deeply invested in their well-being.Expert Insights and Patient Reassurance
Tia Agent, Radiology Director at Converse Memorial Hospital, shares Soller’s enthusiasm for the VELA Mammography Chair. She notes that the chair has been a “lifesaver” for numerous patients, particularly those who are unsteady on their feet. Both hospitals acquired the VELA Mammography Chair from Enable Me, a Florida-based company, showcasing their commitment to enhancing patient care through advanced and thoughtful solutions. The consensus among healthcare providers at these hospitals is that the chair not only improves the patient’s experience but also positively impacts the mammographer’s ability to perform their job effectively without compromising their own physical health.Moreover, the presence of the VELA Mammography Chair encourages women who may be intimidated by standing mammograms to consider this alternative. Patients are encouraged to inquire about the type of chair used during seated mammography, as the chair’s design plays a pivotal role in the overall experience. With a focus on patient comfort and safety, the VELA Mammography Chair considerably improves the screening process for specific patient groups, ensuring that their diagnostic experience is both comfortable and stress-free.Broader Implications for Mammography
Adoption in the United States and Europe
The implementation of the VELA Mammography Chair at MHSC highlights a broader trend towards seated mammography, which is gaining momentum not only in the United States but also across Europe. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the need to enhance patient comfort and safety in medical procedures. As more hospitals adopt seated mammography, there is a marked improvement in the quality of imaging results. This is particularly significant because clearer images lead to more accurate diagnoses, which is the ultimate goal of any diagnostic procedure.The move towards seated mammography is also beneficial for mammographers. Traditional mammograms can be physically demanding for medical staff, requiring them to assist patients into various positions. The electric height adjustment and lockable wheels of the VELA chair simplify this process, reducing the physical strain on healthcare providers. This not only improves job satisfaction but potentially extends the careers of mammographers by reducing the risk of work-related injuries.Encouraging Patient Proactivity
The emerging practice of seated mammography is making waves in the medical field, notably at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County (MHSC) and Converse Memorial Hospital in Douglas. These two hospitals in Wyoming stand out for being the only ones in the state equipped with the Danish-made VELA Mammography Chair. According to Tracie Soller, Director of Imaging at MHSC, seated mammography offers numerous benefits, especially transforming the experience for patients who find traditional mammograms uncomfortable or hard to endure. By enabling patients to remain seated, this approach not only alleviates discomfort but also significantly enhances the quality of imaging. The VELA Mammography Chair represents a significant advancement in patient-centered care, fostering a less stressful, more efficient process that could lead to better diagnostic accuracy. This innovative method is poised to change not just patient experiences, but potentially the broader landscape of mammographic imaging, as more hospitals may adopt this technology to improve patient comfort and imaging outcomes.
