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The Radiology Department of the Sublette County Rural Health Care District is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $7,500 through the AHRA & Toshiba Putting Patients First Program (PPFP) to improve pediatric care and safety in diagnostic imaging.

The Radiology Department of the SCRHCD has been awarded a grant of $7,500, the maximum award, to develop and implement a new pediatric imaging program in Sublette County. The program, created by the SCRHCD Radiology Department, is called SMILE, from the well-known phrase: "Smile for the camera."

The SMILE program has six components: a children’s book, an accompanying adult pamphlet, a mobile protective screen, an infant & child "hugger" for CT scans and X-rays, a pediatric positioning kit, and a smiley face sticker. The SMILE program will be implemented in both clinics.

The three main objectives of the SMILE program are:
1) to reduce patient radiation exposure,
2) to improve image quality for diagnosis, and
3) to increase efficiency in the Radiology Department.

These objectives will be accomplished by increasing patient education, improving communication with patients, and utilizing pediatric imaging aids to assist in image capture.

New pediatric imaging equipment for both clinics will be in use by February 1, 2011, and the SMILE children’s book and pamphlet will be available by April 1, 2011.

The Putting Patients First Program is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. and is administered by the AHRA: Association for Medical Imaging Management.

The AHRA is the preeminent organization for leaders in medical imaging. AHRA offers a complete slate of professional development programs, including a comprehensive selection of educational conferences and seminars through its Leadership Institute, diverse networking opportunities, award-winning publications, and the Certified Radiology Administrator credential. Founded in 1973, AHRA’s more than 4,000 members represent management at all levels for freestanding imaging centers, hospital imaging departments, and group practices.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes, and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a worldwide leader in technology, electronic and electrical products, digital consumer products, electronic devices and components, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875 and today operates a global network of more than 742 companies with more than 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $67 billion.

The Rural Health Foundation of Sublette County (RHF) is the only non-profit raising funds to support patient services for everyone in Sublette County: young and old, sick and healthy, residents and visitors alike.

Established in July of 2010 with support from the Sublette County Rural Health Care District (SCRHCD), the RHF raises charitable funds to support patient services in Sublette County. Funds raised by the RHF will be used for projects that improve health care in the county, but are not part of the general operating budget of the SCRHCD.

The medical services provided by the SCRHCD are vital resources for our community. The cost to provide these essential services is significant. Your generous support of the RHF today will make a difference tomorrow. To find out more about the RHF or to make a charitable donation, please contact the RHF Executive Director, Dari Quirk, at 307-231-5978 or quirk@vcn.com.