Nov 25, 2008 5:42 pm US/Central
Local Hospital Faces Shortage Of Radiologists
Some Frustrated Women Have To Wait Months For A Mammogram
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
There is a troubling shortage at one of our biggest hospitals – 35,000 women get mammograms at Northwestern Memorial. But CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports why some frustrated women could have to wait months for the test.
If a mammogram catches breast cancer, it can be a life saver. That's why making that appointment is so important.
But getting one right now at Northwestern Memorial Hospital isn't easy. The wait for a standard screening is six to eight months.
"Women are very angry right now that they can't get in and frustrated," said Dr. Nora Hansen, Director of Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "The hospital really wanted the patients to know that we are working on this problem."
So it mailed notices to patients, and posted a letter to the women of Chicago in the Tribune. It apologizes for mammogram delays. It also says Northwestern has had to reduce the number of available appointments from 250 to 170 a day because of a growing national shortage of radiologists.
"Instead of brushing this under the table, they are taking responsibility," said breast cancer survivor Michele Kehrer. "I think that's a good thing."
But Kehrer is concerned women might put off the important test.
"These are people's lives. If they're waiting too long to get diagnosed it could spread to other parts of the body," Kehrer said.
That's exactly why Northwestern is urging patients to check out the American College of Radiology's website to find other accredited providers. ACR can point you in the right direction. You can also turn to Susan G. Komen For The Cure.
"Facilities that are just as wonderful as Northwestern. I want to stress that you don't need to wait in line," said Michael Ziener, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen For The Cure. "You have to be vigilant on your breast health, it's up to you, not the facility, to find that cancer. You need to go out and do whatever is possible in your power to go get that mammogram."
CBS 2 checked out four other area hospitals. There was a wait for standard screenings ranging from one week to up to four months for a morning appointment.
Northwestern physicians say if you have a lump and you can't wait, ask to speak with one of the surgeons in the Breast Center and say "I have a mass, can you refer me?" Don't let it go.
Northwestern hopes to hire more breast imagers by summer 2009. The ACR says they're in short supply nationwide because of lower insurance reimbursements and threat of lawsuits in the profession.
For a link to ACR,
click here.
For Susan G. Komen For A Cure,
click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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