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Ultrasound - MRI - CT - Nuclear Medicine - Radiograph Review - I-131 Therapy
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VICSD Quarterly e-Newsletter
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A Look Inside
Jan - Mar 2011 |
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Dear Friend,
The holiday season is already here. And with the rapidly approaching coming new year comes new resolutions. We hope that one of yours is to learn more about ultrasound, radiographs, and more advanced imaging procedures. But, we are a bit biased.
This year we are committing ourselves to contributing even more educational opportunities than ever before. We have two exciting CE events already in the works -- and that's only for the first two months of the year. Of course, rounds with our seasoned radiologists will continue throughout 2012 and will continue to be free of charge. We just love having you here. Really, we do. We hope to also develop more courses through our veterinary association, the American Association of Veterinary Radiologists. If there are any veterinary radiology topics you would like for us to write about in future newsletters, please email us. Your input is always appreciated! Sincerely,  The VICSD Staff |
VICSD Announcements
|  We now accept Care Credit! Understanding the financial difficulties that many people face, we are happy to announce that we have added Care Credit to our payment options. Now your clients can worry less about payment for advanced imaging and think more about diagnostics and treatment.
Christmas and New Year's Holiday Hours We will be closed on the following dates:
Monday, December 26th
Monday, January 2nd
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Employee Spotlight: Ren� Garcia, DVM
|  Dr. Ren� Garcia joined our practice earlier this year as our staff veterinarian and imaging intern, making him in charge of all of our I-131 therapy feline patients. He is the doctor you and your patients' owners discuss cases with, and he helps to oversee all of the the pretreatment imaging, treatment, and hospitalization. Although Dr. Garcia works locally, he is always thinking globally. Growing up in South Miami, across from the Everglades, wildlife conservation and reptiles are very close to his heart. It was there -- in that subtropical landscape that was his home -- where his journey to care for others and animals began. A journey that would later in life lead him all over the world, including Massey University in New Zealand, where he received his veterinary degree. Inspired by his surroundings and the people he met from all over world there, he developed a case of the gypsy bug and now visits an average of three countries a year. His next planned adventure? Dogsledding through the pristine Icelandic countryside as soon as he finishes his internship with us. Because that's what everybody is planning to do next year too, right?
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Real-Time Ultrasound is the
Wave of the Future
|  There will soon be three options for veterinary ultrasound imaging: 1) refer the case out to a radiologist or cardiologist, 2) have the radiologist or cardiologist come to your clinic for the ultrasound, and 3) have a sonographer perform the study while a radiologist or cardiologist remotely reads the case via real-time technology.
"Wait, what is that third option?" you ask.
Real-time ultrasounds are streamed over the internet from a sonographer -- who travels to the DVM's hospital -- to a specialist, who reviews the images from their location, using real-time streaming. (Note: Real-time ultrasound should not be confused with the failed model of still image ultrasound transmission that results in missed information.)
Benefits of this service are many.
Combining the hands and skills of sonographers with the extensive knowledge of radiologists and cardiologists, DVMs can offer their clients a quality service at a lower cost, since the specialist no longer needs to travel to their hospital. Furthermore, the DVM has access to a larger pool of specialists, and the specialists' report turnaround time is significantly faster. In many cases a report is sent to the DVM even before the sonographer has left the building.
Critical care veterinarians will have the added bonus of speaking with someone over the phone while both parties are looking at images. This will also allow for the radiologist or cardiologist to answer questions or help out with image interpretation.
Real-time ultrasound is unique to VICSD and is a service that we have been performing for the San Diego Humane Society every week for the past two years, and later in 2012 will be available to local veterinary practices.
The ability to perform the ultrasound will be limited to critical care veterinarians and sonographers, but the hope is that it will be an option for DVMs in the future. Our ultimate goal is for real-time ultrasound to one day allow for specialists from all over the country to consult on cases in the general practitioner's hospital as the exam is being done.
So, as we say goodbye to 2011, we can also say goodbye to the old way of still ultrasound transmission and make way for for a new wave... real-time ultrasound.
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3-D MRI & CT Videos
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Click on the images below to view our new 3-D capabilities!
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Technology Bytes
Computers Fail: Preparing your practice for the inevitable | 
Not very tech savvy? Have no fear, Josh is here.
Josh Yoo, a former techophile for IBM, is currently our Head of Information Technology while he studies to become a DVM. Combining his technology expertise and passion for the veterinary field, Josh will be contributing to our blog and quarterly newsletter, discussing new and inexpensive ways for technology to improve your practice.
Imagine your practice trying to operate without your practice-management software or without your radiograph machine. My intent is not to cause a scare, but rather to make you aware and stress that computers are mechanical devices that will fail.
The question is: Can your business risk an outage that could potentially last days?
Click here to find out.
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Upcoming Events
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Save the Dates
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
6:00pm - 8:30pm CE Event - Vets & Techs
Introduction to DICOM & Digital Image Transfer
Registration coming soon!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:00pm - 8:30pm CE Event - Vets & Techs
I. Abdominal Radiography & Ultrasonography
II. FNAs & Biopsies
More information will be announced at a later date for each of these events. Click on "Update Profile/Email Address" at the bottom of this email to make sure you're subscribed to our Rounds/CE Seminars email list to receive announcements.
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Ongoing Educational Opportunities
|  Never stop learning! We are proud to continue offering the following educational opportunities year-round.
Ultrasound Training
CE Credit: None
Open To: Veterinarians and Veterinary Sonographers Two options are available. Click on the "Ultrasound Training" link for more. CE Credit: None Open To: Veterinarians Cost: $1,500 for one week; $2,500 for two weeks
CE Credit: Two Hours Open To: All Veterinary Hospital Staff Working With Radiation Equipment
Cost: $50/person
Fulfills requirements for new California radiation safety mandate
CE Credit: None
Open To: Veterinarians
Cost: $75/person for one year |
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Coming Early 2012
Teleconsulting.
Image Parking.
Workflow Improved.
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| What's Your Diagnosis? |  | The patient is a 7-year-old, 75 lb M/C Lab who lost over 10 lbs since August. Vomiting occasionally and very low appetite.
Click here to view the radiograph images and to submit your answer for the chance to win a pizza party for your hospital!
Previous Case Winners
Grant Mayne, San Diego
Sharon Sprouse, San Diego
Ira Abrams, San Diego
John Beccari, San Diego
Imran Samad, Ontario
Through our raffle,
Dr. Ira Abrams of
VCA Scripps Ranch
won a pizza party!
Congratulations!
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Was this email forwarded to you? Don't wait to hear it through the grapevine!
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We've lowered our prices
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The current economic conditions have found many pet owners making difficult financial decisions when it comes to paying for more than routine maintenance for their pets. Recognizing this, we have decided to lower our prices on some of our advanced imaging procedures. With MRIs as low as $900 for one region, and some of our inclusive packages for MRI, CT, and Nuclear Medicine starting at $499, we feel that this will make diagnostic imaging more accessible and affordable than ever before.
| | Please call us for our current price list. (858) 634-5430 |
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