(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Through the financial support of the Ketchikan Medical Center Foundation, PeaceHealth Ketchikan recently purchased a bone densitometer, offering a new service to the community.  

Also known as a DEXA scan, a bone densitometer uses low dose X-rays to see how dense (or strong) bones are. Bone density scans are often used to diagnose or assess the risk of osteoporosis, a health condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.

Approximately 50% of patients at risk of a fracture are potentially missed by bone densitometry alone. This new technology to Ketchikan provides the assessment of both bone density and bone structure in one exam without additional time or radiation exposure for patients. The test results derived from this technology improves fracture risk prediction, helps identify more patients at risk and fine-tunes therapy decisions.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center can offer bone densitometry assessments to all patients. Community members seeking this service should reach out to their primary care provider for guidance.

Quoting a news release fro PeaceHealth Ketchikan, "We are grateful to the generous community support and to the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Foundation for providing the financial support necessary to bring this vital technology to our island."

Source of News:

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

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