Trauma/Emergency Imaging, an essential component of the hospital and emergency department, is a subspecialty of diagnostic imaging specializing in the diagnosis of emergent traumatic and non-traumatic diseases. We use state of the art equipment including CT, x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, and nuclear medicine to help quickly diagnose diseases and identify which patients need emergency surgery. For example, it has been estimated that performing a CT scan for suspected appendicitis can prevent up to 50,000 unnecessary operations per year and also leads to an alternative diagnosis in over 50% A few of the common conditions we see and help diagnose include traumatic injuries, stroke, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, kidney stones, pulmonary emboli, and aneurysms.
We actively participate in technical committees to ensure optimal image quality, while maintaining safety and minimizing any potential radiation exposure. We foster close relationships with our clinician colleagues by participating in several regular multidisciplinary conferences across the hospital system, working with fellow health care clinicians across several specialties including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology (“ENT”), Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Neuropathology.
ARA Health Specialists has the largest group of on-site dedicated Trauma Emergency Imaging physicians outside of an academic institution in the region. Our specialists are board certified in emergency imaging to provide you with the best care possible. We have one of the most experienced teams in Trauma/Emergency Imaging in the country. We are available in the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to help diagnose and triage patients. We perform and interpret over 100,000 emergent imaging exams per year. We have the number one lowest turn around time for trauma/emergency imaging interpretation in our health system of over 180 hospitals and 2000 sites. We are honored and privileged to serve and the only Level I-type trauma center in western North Carolina.
