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Long-distance machine
a diagnostic time-saver

by Sheena Falconer

Amazing pictures are emerging
in the radiology department of
Mills Memorial Hospital, courtesy
of the newly developed Film Fax
machine. The Film Fax has been in
use as a demonstration machine

' between Terrace and Kitimat for
_four months now and is proving to

be very effective.

The machine enables a technician
in Kitimat to fax an x-ray to the
radiologist, Dr. Barnes, in Terrace
for diagnosis by sending images
through the telephone lines.

‘Conquering the problems of
sending x-rays through the fax
machine has taken almost 20 years,
due to the high degree of resol-

ution necessary and the scrambling ©

which occurs when the picture is
transmitted through telephone
switching systems. A company
from Kansas City, Discovery Sys-
tems Inc., has finally overcome the
barriers. The Film Fax is invalu-

‘able in areas like the Northwest

because it enables small hospitals
and health centres equipped with
an x-ray station but lacking a
radiologist to receive opinions on
their x-rays almost immediately.
Victims of fractures and other

‘conditions requiring x-ray diag-

nosis who live in one of the
remote communities, such as
Stewart or Aiyansh, must either
wait for the x-rays to be mailed
down to the closest large city or
travel there themselves, incurring
the associated costs. With the Film
Fax system in place, technicians in
the outlying hospitals would be
abie to take the x-rays and fax
them to the nearest radiologist for
diagnosis.

Another advantage of the Film Fax
is that the radiologists could take
turns. going on call. During Dr.
Barnettt’s holiday, there were 30
cases from the Hazeltons that had
to wait for his return.

Ken Maggs and Dr. Barnett have
made a presentation to the North-
western Conference of Hospital
Administrators that contains the
following information:

*There are 15 hospitals in the area
who have access to x-ray equip-
ment.

‘There are three radiologists
covering this area, one in
Smithers/Burns Lake/Hazelton, one
in Terrace/Kitimat and one in
Prince Rupert.
*The only centre with a full-time
radiologist is Prince Rupert.

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Terrace Review -——- Wednesday, September 4, 1991 B7

Dr. Barnett: Three radiologists for 15 hospitals in region.

Community invited to fly kites
with Big Brothers and Sisters

by Sheena Falconer

The Terrace branch of Big
Brothers and Sisters met on a
recent weekend at Ferry Island for
a scavenger hunt. The kids enjoyed

New TV-equipped microscope
an aid to teaching pathology —

Dr. Alex Enriquez: A method of teaching other doctors the complexities of pathology.

by Sheena Falconer

A patient lies unconscious on the operating

treatment, It’s all in a day’s work for Dr. En-
riquez, who is the only pathologist in this area.
Enriquez has recently acquired a new piece of

table in Mills Memorial Hospital. Doctors and
nurses are awaiting a decision — is the tumor
benign or malignant? The pathologist, Dr. Alex
Enriquez, works quickly in his laboratory.

He carefully freezes, sections and stains a
small portion of the tumor. He then places it
under the microscope and turns to phone the
operating room. It is benign. Those in the oper-
ating room continue their work with a lighter
heart.

Unforlunately, this is not always the casc, but
the quick diagnosis enables the physician or
surgeon to promptly recommend a course of

teaching equipment from the R.E.M. Lee Hospi-
tal Foundation. This equipment consists of a
microscope with an attached camera that is
hooked up to a television monitor. This enables
Dr. Enriquez to explain what is going on at the
cellular level to physicians, nurses and others
who may be interested.

Enriquez believes the ncw devices are very
important for the continuing education program
at Mills Memorial, particularly because doctors
routinely have only one ycar of pathology in
medical school.

trying to catch the numerous tad-
poles present and also hunted for
such things as rocks, leaves,
flowers and pine cones. Afterward,
there was time to sit down and
discuss coming events and award
prizes — treats from a local fast
food outlet.

One of the events that will be
coming up for Big Brothers and
Sisters is Kite Day on Sept. 14,

BS

also the national day for Big
Brothers and Sisters. Everyone in
the community is invited to join
the matched big and little brothers
and sisters in the field next to the

Kin Hut on Halliwell Ave. to £

kites and have fun.
Instructions for making kites can

be obtained from Lois at the Big

Brothers and Sisters office at

635-4232,

a

TERRY MONTURE HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF
TERRACE FOR 7 YEARS. JUST RECENTLY,
TERRY AND HIS WIFE LAURIE, OPENED A

NEW BUSINESS IN TERRACE, ASTRO PURE
WATER PURIFIERS. THEY BOTH LOOK
FORWARD TO MANY SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF
BUSINESS HERE AS WELL AS MEETING
MANY OF THE RESIDENTS OF TERRACE.

FERS ALD & Leste T CHAMBEL: GP o Gide

SUPPORTED BY THE CITY OF TERRACE