Updated van allows privacy, efficiency
The Women’s Health Services Coach visited NIC’s campus once again to provide mammography services to local women.
Equipped with a brand-new coach and advanced equipment, this visit heralded a full schedule, and the van is considering making another set of mammography rounds here on campus this spring.
The new changes in equipment in the coach have increased efficiency and patient comfort, according to Steve Fracz, driver and clerk of the mammography coach for over 12 years.
“It’s like a rock star coach,” Fracz said. “The old one was a converted RV.”
The new coach touts individual dressing rooms that allow patients to change in private.
The old coach required that patients dress in the examining room itself, a situation that caused longer appointment times.
Now, appointment times generally run around 15 minutes.
“It’s a more private, slick flow,” Fracz said. “It helps us stay on schedule and really stick to that 15-minute appointment time.”
Another new feature of the updated coach is its all-digital mammography system, which sends information directly to Inland Imaging for processing. Results are normally available in five to 10 working days.
Those 30 years or older are invited to make an appointment with the mammography coach.
Women over 40 are encouraged to get a mammogram once a year and can do so without a physician’s referral.
“Early detection is what saves a person’s life,” said Lana Burnette, mammographer.
Those under the age of 30 cannot receive a mammogram on the coach, though, due to a variety of different reasons.
The most prominent reason that women under 30 cannot make appointments with the coach is due to the difference between a diagnostic exam and a screening.
Women under 30 are not seen as high-risk candidates for breast cancer. Thus, these screenings will become diagnostic if abnormalities are found and, if insurance was billed, the routine screening becomes insurance fraud.
“Mammograms aren’t as bad as people say,” Burnette said. “It’s uncomfortable and quick.”
The bus usually visits the NIC campus twice a year around the end of October and January. Due to a packed schedule, the coach may come back later this spring.
“Lots of people are inquiring, asking for openings,” Fracz said.
The bus runs based on appointments only. Patients are also asked to arrive early or at least on time for their appointment, as mammograms will be dropped if the patient is seven minutes or more late.
This schedule is enforced in order to keep a reliable 15-minute appointment time.
