Delta, CO (August 12, 2024) – The Delta Health Radiology Department is proud to announce the addition of the surgically-guided SCOUT Biopsy Delivery System, a radar localization system that targets tissues needing to be removed for breast cancer and breast surgery patients.
“We are proud to bring the new SAVI SCOUNT radar localization system to our patients who need breast conservation surgeries,” said Kevin Fischer, MS RRT FAARC, Director of Radiology at Delta Health. “We are committed to the safest and most progressive treatment options for women and men with breast tumors, and now we are one of the few rural hospitals to have this surgically-guided system that makes breast surgery easier for patients.”
Delta Health was able to purchase the state-of-the-art system through the support of the Delta Health Foundation.
“Delta Health Foundation’s mission is to inspire generosity, and support remarkable care in our community, through Delta Health,” said Darnell Place-Wise, Delta Health Public Information Officer and Delta Health Foundation Director. “I can’t think of a better way to exemplify that mission, than the board choosing to fund this life-changing and patient-centric piece of equipment/technology.”
Prior to this technology, wires were used to target a lesion however the wire was often displaced making it difficult to find a tumor and could even delay surgery. Now, the radiologist can place the receiver (small as a grain of rice) in the lesion and then the surgeon can schedule the surgery to remove the lesion. This type of needle localization eliminates wires, improves patient experience, and accurately removes hard-to-target lesions.
“I think the real impact of this device is on the patient,” said Dr. Nickel, General Surgeon at Delta Health. One of the advantages of the SCOUT is that it can be placed any time before the procedure, not just the morning of like it is with the wire. It also allows us to take a route to the cancer and make a more cosmetic incision it provides a better result for the patient. The radar also allows us to get a better sense of what our margins are around that lesion.”
The SCOUT is the first of its kind to use radar and target and localize tissues that need to be removed. Similar to GPS for targeting abnormal breast tissues.
Dr. Nickel was also a driving force in bringing the SCOUT technology to Delta Health.
“The reason I was passionate about getting this technology here is that being in a small town doesn’t mean we should do small-time things. We should be keeping up technology-wise with everyone else in the country. Sometimes not possible, fortunately in this instance the foundation board was able to finance this purchase and put us up there with what the universities are using.”
For more information on the SCOUT and more information on the Delta Health Radiology Department, visit deltahealthco.org/diagnostic-imaging/ or call 970.874.2214.
