New portable x-ray unit at Culberson Hospital enhances emergency care

Preferred Management Corporation, the company that has operated Culberson Hospital since 2005, recently acquired a new portable X-Ray unit.

“We are thrilled to get this new piece of equipment,” said Toni Subia, hospital radiology director. “The old unit has been around the hospital for decades. When we had to start charging the unit between almost every image, it became time consuming.  We would have to transport emergency patients to the Radiology Department for diagnostic x-rays,” she said.

The new mobile radiographic system, manufactured by GE, allows hospital staff to easily take the equipment to the patient. An upgraded battery unit makes the system ideally suited for all routine radiology procedures in the emergency room and can be used for extended periods of imaging without having to recharge.  Procedures frequently performed in the Emergency Department include: chest x-rays along with x-rays of upper and lower extremities – arms, shoulders, hands legs and feet.

“The quality of the images is great,” said Pavel Cisneros, radiology technician, “and we can give our providers the x-rays they need almost instantly helping them to make real-time decisions about the care needed by our patients.”    

Culberson Hospital’s radiology department offers a wide-range of imaging services, including CT or CAT scans, diagnostic x-rays, bone density testing, general ultrasound exams and echocardiograms.       

Preferred purchased a 16-slice CT scanner along with a new ultrasound unit as part of the construction of the new hospital addition in 2010 through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  “These pieces of equipment cost over $400,000,” explained Jared Chanski, hospital administrator, “so we opted to wait on the replacement of the portable X-Ray until this summer.”  

“It is great to have state-of-the-art imaging equipment in Van Horn,” noted Andy Freeman, president of Preferred.  “Our goal is to continue to maintain and enhance the quality of services available to the residents of Culberson County.”

Based in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Preferred has operated Culberson Hospital and the Van Horn Rural Health Clinic for almost 10 years.  The company specializes in the management and operations of Critical Access Hospitals in the Southwest and is proud of the partnership forged with the Culberson County Hospital District to address the healthcare needs of Culberson County.