Image Counts

Dallas imaging center combines groundbreaking technology with compassionate care

Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is as committed to technology as patient care.

Courtesy photo

Editor’s note: This is the second in a new promoted series called CultureMap Rx, in which you can get to know Dallas’ top healthcare experts. Next up: Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center.

Q: What should I look for when choosing an imaging center?

A: The most important qualification is accreditation by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Accredited status from the ACR is a key indicator of a high-quality imaging center. Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center (SWDIC) is proud to be fully accredited in all modalities by the American College of Radiology.

Q: What does ACR accreditation mean?

A: Our facility has voluntarily gone through a rigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally accepted standards of care. Our personnel are well-qualified, through education and certification, to perform medical imaging and interpret your images. Our equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and our facility meets or exceeds quality assurance and safety guidelines.

Q: What makes Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center unique compared to other imaging centers?

A: SWDIC has been offering diagnostic imaging services for more than 30 years. During this time, we have developed and promoted a “patient first” approach.

Although most imaging centers would proclaim their focus on patient care is what makes them different, SWDIC staff and radiologists actually demonstrate this commitment every day. This is evident by a 99 percent patient satisfaction rating in 2015, with 90 percent of all patients waiting less than 10 minutes for their scheduled exam. This is a huge accomplishment, as SWDIC sees more than 350 patients per day.

Here are all the ways SWDIC puts patients first:

Open seven days a week
Same-day appointments
Extended hours Monday-Friday
Cash pricing
Payment plans
State-of-the-art equipment
Parking validation (self park and valet)
Onsite board-certified radiologists
One convenient location offering MRI, MRA, CT, CTA, PET/CT, SONO, X-ray, DEXA, digital mammography, fluoroscopy, and myelography

Q: What is new at SWDIC that could benefit me or a family member?

A: SWDIC is the first in the world to offer GE Healthcare’s Revolution GSI CT Scanner. This technology allows us to reduce radiation dose to patients and maintain high image quality. It also increases patient workflow and helps reduce patient scan times.

Another key technology upgrade occurred in November 2015, when SWDIC installed its new Siemens Magnetom Skyra 3T MRI wide-bore scanner. This advanced technology helps put patients at ease with faster scan times and a 97 percent noise reduction. The Skyra 3T MRI enables patients to receive better diagnosis and treatment plans by delivering robust image quality.

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In from the cold

Warming centers open across Dallas-Fort Worth during weekend winter storm

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Warming centers will provide blankets and meals to those in need.

As Dallas-Fort Worth braces for brutally cold temperatures, freezing precipitation, and possible power outages this weekend, local city buildings and nonprofits are opening their doors as warming shelters. Here is a running list of places where people can go to safely warm up and rest. The list will be updated as more are announced.

Austin Street Center, in partnership with the City of Dallas and OurCalling, is activating an Inclement Weather Shelter at Fair Park’s Automobile Building, at 1010 1st Ave., Dallas, beginning at 4 pm Friday, January 23. It can accommodate 1,200 individuals and will offer shuttle service, meals, restroom facilities, blankets, and a safe, heated space for those experiencing homelessness. (Note: Austin Street's shelter location at 2929 Hickory St. will not be in operation this weekend.)

Dallas Public Libraries and Recreation Centers are open during regular hours as warming and charging stations.

The Office of Homeless Solutions provides help for unsheltered individuals in Dallas.

The Salvation Army has several warming stations available across Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton Counties. They'll provide shelter and warmth, food and drink, emotional and spiritual care, and additional supplies to anyone in need. Locations are:

In Dallas County, the Garland Corps Community Center (451 W. Avenue D, Garland) and Carr P. Collins Social Service Center (5302 Harry Hines Blvd.)
In Tarrant County, the Arlington Corps Community Center (712 W. Abram St., Arlington) and J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center (1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth)
In Denton County, the Denton Corps Community Center (1508 E. McKinney St., Denton) and Lewisville Corps Community Center (880 Fox Ave., Lewisville)

The City of Arlington has additional overnight shelters available:

First United Methodist Church, 407 N. Mesquite St. Open on dates when overnight temperatures reach 32 degrees or less for four or more consecutive hours.
Nations Church Arlington, 1013 W. Park Row Drive. Open continuously from noon Friday-Monday as both a warming center and an overnight shelter.
All Arlington Public Library locations and recreation centers are open to the public for warming, in designated areas, during standard operating hours.
The Arlington Animal Services Shelter accepts pets of homeless individuals as capacity allows.

The City of Fort Worth manages an emergency overnight overflow sheltering program when temperatures reach certain thresholds and regular emergency shelters are at capacity. If regular emergency shelters and beds are full when people arrive, they will be relocated to available overflow beds at one of the available additional emergency shelter locations, the city says.

They advise that individuals experiencing homelessness should first access one of the regular emergency shelters:

Union Gospel Mission (1321 E. Lancaster Ave.)
Presbyterian Night Shelter (2400 Cypress St.)
Families should go to the Salvation Army's J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center (1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth)

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