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| Dr Chidambaram Nathan |
What do good radiology and imaging departments strive for? They strive for timely access to the most advanced medical imaging technology, in a commiserate setting, to quickly deliver accurate electronic medical reports to referring doctors; and provide an unsurpassed educational experience to residents and medical students. Apollo Hospital Chennai’s radiology and imaging department does this and more.
Established in 1983, along with the flagship hospital of Apollo Group at Chennai, the department was headed by eminent (late) Dr Professor Arcot Gajaraj. “He was a doyen amongst the radiologists of our country and perhaps the only radiologist in the country who was proficient in all branches of radiology,” remembers Dr Chidambaram Nathan, present HOD, Radiology Department, Apollo Hospital. “At that time we relied on X-rays and ultrasound and provided only conventional radiology to the patients,” he further adds. He has been with the department for the past 26 years and has seen the department evolve.
The department has moved from conventional to digital radiology with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Today, the doctors in the Department of Radiology at Apollo Hospital in Chennai provide a complete range of diagnostic and treatment imaging services. Using state-of-the-art equipment, a skilled team of specialists provide caring, safe and efficient imaging services that are fully coordinated with the patients’ medical care. “Imaging plays a vital role in determining the accuracy of diagnosis and the subsequent planning of treatment. The clarity and sophistication of the images help doctors and surgeons plan every aspect of surgery in advance. In other words, imaging is the ‘the visual inspection of internal organs without incision,” Dr Nathan says.
No expense has been spared to equip the department with the most advanced facilities, The department got its first CT in 1986, MRI in 1990. “Technology in radiology has evolved very rapidly in the past decade and our department has kept pace with those developments. Advances in imaging technology is pushing the speciality to greater heights – allowing us to detect diseases earlier, offer minimally invasive treatment option to patients and provide an overall enhanced level of care.” says Dr Nathan. “Although we had started with very basic technology today we have 3T MRI and 320-slice CT,” he adds. The department started interventional radiology in 1988 as they already had a cath lab since 1986. Nuclear imaging was also done since 1987 and neuro-imaging started in 1990. Today the department has gained prominence in acute trauma imaging, osteoarthritis imaging and neuro-interventional radiology. Treatment with ablation and cancer therapy is also done at the hospital.
The radiology department is fully supported by competent doctors and technologists. The department boasts of well qualified technicians and radiologists who support 10 consultants. There are 30 radiologists, 45 technicians, and 40 support staff.
Apollo Hospital’s radiologists work with doctors in other departments to promptly diagnose and treat health conditions. Radiologists perform and interpret more than three lakh examinations yearly. This large number of cases, integrated with ongoing research and education, results in broad expertise in imaging and treatment of diseases affecting people of all ages.
“Our department offers a complete range of diagnostic and interventional imaging services that are fully coordinated with patients’ medical care and surgery. Doctors perform examinations safely and efficiently interpret and deliver results to the doctor, on the same day in most cases,” Dr Nathan says.
The department is well connected with IT systems. “IT makes the department more efficient, enables increased productivity, and allows the department to serve hospital staff, patients, and referring physicians more effectively,” informs Dr Nathan. “It forms a comprehensive, fully-integrated solution that meets all digital needs,” he adds. In addition to RIS, the system features state-of-the-art picture archiving and communication system (PACS), medical reporting, solution monitoring & management services (SMMS), and audit services. Integrated with other hospital systems, such as hospital information systems (HIS) and electronic patient records (EPR), the benefits of RIS extend well beyond radiology.
The department is also in the forefront of radiology education. The hospital got DNB accreditation in 1986 and since then has been training two candidates per year. Along with this the department also had two residents and four technologists training with them every year.
Research is an integral part of Apollo Hospital. Residents within the Department of Radiology conduct basic science and clinical research, working closely with clinical departments throughout the hospital and other affiliated institutes. The department has published about 100 papers in various journals of repute till date. About six to seven research projects are in progress at the department every year. The department doctors participate in various city, state and national level seminars and conferences every year and take part in regular CMEs.
Radiation protection infrastructure in the hospital is on very sound footing and is constantly being strengthened, based on experience and continued research and development activities. At present they have AERB certification and NABL certification along with JCI accreditation. In-house safety committee audits the safety measures monthly.
Overall its a well maintained, secure department which works like a well oiled machinery. The state-of-the-art department not only helps patients coming to Apollo but also helps referral patients from around the place with many small and medium hospitals utilising the department thereby making it one of the most sought after departments at the hospital.
