In July, Clay County Medical Center installed a GE Legacy Radiography and Fluoroscopy machine in a newly remodeled area in the Radiology Department.

Fluoroscopy is an x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. This is especially useful for guiding a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures. Fluoroscopy uses x-ray to produce real-time video images. After the x-rays pass through the patient, instead of using film, they are captured by a device called an image intensifier and converted into light. The light is then captured by a TV camera and displayed on a video monitor.

The Speech pathology department at Clay County Medical Center provides evaluation and treatment of swallowing difficulties and speech language disorders. When someone experiences difficulty swallowing, I would encourage a visit with his or her physician to obtain a referral for a swallowing evaluation. Swallowing difficulties may emerge from the general aging process. They may also be present in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, oral cancer, dementia and stroke.

Testing may include a modified barium swallow conducted through the Radiology and Speech departments at Clay County Medical Center. During this procedure, the patient will be asked to swallow foods and liquids of varying consistencies. This test is done under fluoroscopy in the radiology suite. The patient is able to view the videotape of the actual swallowing after the test. This procedure is non-invasive and very short in duration. The swallowing evaluation is used to develop a treatment plan to improve the swallow function for daily nutrition and hydration.

Members of the Radiology team include Dr. Pamela B. Davis, Radiologist; Brenda Bohnenblust, Speech/Language Pathologist; Justin Begnoche, Director of Radiology and Radiology Technicians- Tammy Herrs; Jenn Bush; Julia Mesallies; Cody Kandt