Digital Mammography

To a woman having a mammogram, a film and digital procedure are the same; both use X-rays to produce an image of the breast. However, instead of using film as in a conventional X-ray mammogram, a digital mammogram uses a digital plate and is stored and read on a computer. Digital mammography -- available at Baptist Medical Centers Downtown, Beaches, Nassau and South -- is designed to improve the quality of images and speed of diagnosis. Storing digital images with electronic transmission benefits the patient in that images can be reviewed by several clinicians simultaneously at remote locations for consultation and annotation. This allows for faster diagnosis and getting those results to the patient.

Digital images also can be manipulated to get the best view and can be quickly e-mailed to radiologists and other physicians if further consultation is required. Since procedure time is often shorter with digital mammography, this technology, along with our centralized Breast Health Services, has helped Baptist Health increase appointment availability.

For the clinician, digital images are easier to store, take up less space and are easy to transmit because they are electronic.

Only eight percent of hospitals nationally currently have digital mammography. A recent study of 50,000 women revealed that digital mammography is better than traditional mammography at detecting cancers in women with particularly dense breasts and women younger than 50.

Need your annual routine mammogram? Has your doctor also ordered a bone density study? Schedule one or both today at any Baptist Health hospital by visiting our online appointment request form or by calling 904.202.2222 (904.321.3636 for Baptist Nassau).