Bone density scans now available at NBHH

A brand new DEXA scanner stands ready and waiting for patient use through the radiology department at North Big Horn Hospital. The primary purpose of the scanner is to scan bone density.

Testing bone density – how strong bones are – is the best way for a provider to determine if a patient has osteoporosis or osteopenia. Osteoporosis causes bone tissue to break down faster than new tissue can be made. As a result, bones become weak and prone to breaks, especially in the hips, spine and wrists. Osteopenia can be a precursor to osteoporosis, especially if untreated.

The DEXA scan is especially helpful in treating older patients, because the bone deterioration is common in these patients due to hormonal changes, less exercise and aging. It’s also an important preventative test for women’s health, in general, as women are more prone to these diseases than men, especially menopausal women due to estrogen loss.

According to NBHH Radiology Manager Julaine Askvig, the procedure is a quick and painless way to measure the mineral content of a patient’s bones. The patient simply lies on the machine in a prone position, while the scanner passes over his or her body. The scan is over in a few minutes. She said this is the first time the hospital has been able to offer this service. Up until now, patients have had to drive to other facilities for this commonly ordered test.

The $62,000 DEXA scanner was purchased, in part, with proceeds from a $41,800 donation to the district from the Caryl Turner Memorial through the North Big Horn Hospital Foundation. The hospital’s board of trustees approved paying the balance of the cost with hospital funds.

At a board meeting held last year, CEO Eric Connell said he thought adding the service would be a good idea because the equipment would eventually allow the district to not only offer bone density analysis, but body fat analysis, too. He noted that Medicare patients are allowed a bone density scan every other year, so he expected the equipment to see good use even before the body fat analysis test is offered. A pro forma study by the hospital’s CFO Darcy Robertson confirmed offering the service is financially feasible for the hospital.

DEXA provides one of the most accurate measures of body fat testing, which is very popular with athletes, dieters and health enthusiasts. Askvig said, though the hospital is not providing body fat testing yet, it plans to do so in the future. Since insurance doesn’t commonly pay for body fat testing, it will most likely be an out-of-pocket expense for patients. Whereas, bone density scanning is often paid for in all or part.