Ciara Parizek/MDN Darcie Hansen and Kelly Binek demonstrated lining up for a CT scan at CHI St. Alexius Health Minot Medical Plaza on March 12.

CHI St. Alexius Health Minot Medical Plaza staff work efficiently to get their patients’ results back to them within 48 hours with their state-of-the-art imaging equipment.

One of their amazing machines does 3D mammograms. By using the new technology, it scans the breast tissue and shows each layer. Jennifer Lemon, a mammographer and radiologic technologist, said the 3D mammogram is considerably more thorough than a regular mammogram and gets a lot more detail.

Both of their X-ray rooms have Siemens Multix Fusion diagnostic machines. The images from the machine go straight to the monitor behind the window for the tech to look at. The radiation from the machines is also low dose. Plates stand in the back of the rooms for patients who have to get upright X-rays taken of their upper body or get special scans they may not be able to take while the patient is lying down. The rooms are also rather large, allowing ample room for patients for weight bearing or standing X-rays or be brought in on a stretcher on rare occasion.

Across the hall is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) machine. The purpose of the DEXA machine is to check patients’ bone density. It also tells the tech if the patient is at risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to become brittle.

To scan the soft tissue, like muscles, tendons and ligaments, they use magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Darcie Hansen, a CT and radiologic technologist, said some cases require faster results, like searching for brain bleeds or ruptured organs. To get those urgent results, St. Alexius staff perform a computed tomography (CT) scan.

They offer a wide variety of exams and also have a complete lab to do necessary tests. Their scheduling is quick, as well as the time in which they can have the results out to the patient. As long as St. Alexius has authorization from the patient’s health insurance provider, the can be checked the same day and their results will be available within 48 hours. If their case is deemed emergent, they can have the results back even sooner.

In addition to seeing their own patients, they also offer services to those who need to see a primary care provider if a patient’s original primary is booked.

Lemon and Hansen are both available to answer any questions people may have about their services and said they are more than happy to answer them.