Diagnostic Testing

LAB

Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's Clinical Laboratory is accredited through the College of American Pathologists (CAP) which inspects nearly 6,500 laboratories in over 100 countries.

CAP accreditation is highly regarded in the industry and ensures that the Laboratory achieves the highest standards of excellence necessary for quality results and, ultimately, patient safety. The laboratory is inspected by the CAP every two years to ensure quality standards.

The Laboratory is able to FAX patient laboratory results to physicians the same day. For those tests that are required to be sent out to another lab for processing, physicians will usually receive these results within 48 hours, depending on the complexity of the test involved.

The hospital's Outpatient Lab Station is conveniently located at the front of the facility for easy access. For billing purposes, patients register at the Business Office prior to being sent to the Outpatient Lab Station.

If a physicians orders tests for the same reason for multiple visits, patients will only need to register once per calendar year.

For example, if a patient is taking Coumadin and his or her physician has ordered monthly Protime tests, the patient will only be required to complete the registration paperwork once a year, unless insurance information or diagnosis changes for any reason.

For your convenience, patients may call the collection area to schedule an appointment in advance, which will allow faster access to the Outpatient Station.

The direct number for the Outpatient Station is 979.830.2211.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Patients needing a copy of lab results to take with them to another physician's office will be asked to sign a "Release of Information" form giving Scott & White Hospital - Brenham permission to release the records to the patient or to a physician other than the one that ordered the test(s). The hospital is not allowed to release the results unless the patient has completed this form. The Health Information Management Department is responsible for releasing results; therefore, the patient will be directed to that department. Their hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and their phone number is 979.830.7430.

Radiology

Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's Imaging Department offers services to aid in the diagnosis of illness or injury.

Services provided include: X-ray, 32-slice CT scanning, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, echocardiography, ultrasound (including 4D) and doppler studies. All services can be provided to both outpatients and hospitalized patients. A healthcare provider's order is required.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan)

A computed tomography (CT) scan (also called a computerized axial tomography, or CAT, scan) is a special type of X-ray that can produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. CT scanning can be used to obtain information about almost any body organ blood vessels, the abdominal cavity, bones and the spinal cord. A CT scan produces clearer pictures of internal organs than does a regular X-ray.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy uses a continuous beam of X-rays to evaluate structures and movement within the body, such as blood traveling through a blood vessel, the diaphragm moving up and down, or food moving through the digestive tract. A contrast material that shows up on X-rays can be injected or swallowed during fluoroscopy to outline blood vessels or organs.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine uses computer technology and radioactive substances to produce images of the body and treat disease. It is particularly useful for detecting tumors, aneurysms, irregular blood flow to tissues and inadequate functioning of certain organs.

Before an examination, you will be given a radioactive tracer to make tissues visible on the scans. Bones, organs, glands and blood vessels each use a different radioactive compound as a tracer, which is either ingested or injected, depending on the type of test. The radioisotopes have very low radiation levels that decay in minutes or hours and do not harm the body.

Common uses of nuclear medicine include diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease) and with cardiac stress tests to analyze heart function, bone scans for orthopedic injuries, lung scans for blood clots and liver and gall bladder procedures to diagnose abnormal function or blockages.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to show what is inside your body. Unlike an X-ray, an ultrasound exam does not use radiation. Instead, a small microphone-like transducer is placed on the area of interest. High frequency sound waves are emitted and produce echoes from the internal tissues and organs. The transducer converts the echoes to electric signals to create an image.

Scott & White Hospital - Brenham now offers photos of unborn babies via 4D Ultrasound.

The hospital's state-of-the-art GE Logic® ultrasound machine captures movements of unborn babies with clarity that is often unable to be captured with the traditional 2D scanning.

This type of ultrasound is safe for both mother and fetus and uses the same ultrasonic waves used in a traditional 2D scan at a doctor's office. In fact, sonographers take a 2D scan, and the computer renders the amazing 3D/4D images.

The hospital only scans mothers who are currently under prenatal care and have undergone their 18-24 week diagnostic scan and bring written authorization from their healthcare provider. The hospital makes no exceptions and holds itself to an extremely high standard of care. Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's highly trained sonographers are proficient in the art of 3D/4D scanning.

Doppler Studies

A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to evaluate blood as it flows through a blood vessel.

X-ray

X-rays are a form of radiation that can pass through most objects, including the human body. When X-rays strike a piece of photographic film, they produce a picture.

CARDIAC STRESS TESTING

Scott & White Hospital - Brenham's newest diagnostic tool is our cardiac stress testing lab.  Our Cardiology Department test menu is as follows: 

A test used to provide information about how the heart responds to stress. It involves walking on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty, while the electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.