Hialeah, Fla. - April 10, 2007 - Palmetto General Hospital has added digital mammography to its comprehensive diagnostic services dedicated to women and the early detection of breast cancer. This new equipment incorporates advanced imaging technology that provides sharp images and provides high quality care.

    Digital mammography allows the radiologist to view the x-ray image more closely, meaning they can zoom in on suspicious or concerning areas and make immediate decisions as to whether additional images are needed. Although a digital mammogram is like a traditional film-screen exam in that it uses x-rays to generate images of the breast, it takes less than half the time of traditional exams and allows the radiologist to review the images while the patient is still in the examination room.

    "Our goal is to provide exceptional care to the women of our community," explained. Ana Mederos, CEO of Palmetto General Hospital. "Digital mammography allows us to deliver even more advanced, personalized care to our patients in the fight against breast cancer."

    Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. Because there is no waiting for film to be developed it can reduce the time patients spend in the breast center, as well as reduce the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure. Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films, which can be misfiled or lost in transit.

    Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics demonstrate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in their life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman's survival.

    Palmetto General Hospital, part of Tenet's Miami-Dade/Broward Health Network, is a 360-bed acute-care hospital located at 2001 West 68th Street in Hialeah, Florida. The hospital has served the medical and health care needs of Northwest Miami-Dade and Southwest Broward counties for more than 30 years. Palmetto General Hospital offers a broad range of services, including adult and pediatric emergency rooms, maternity, mental health, cancer center, hyperbaric, wound care, sleep disorders center, a cardiac program that includes both medical and surgical services and a bariatric program that has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Palmetto General Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. The hospital has earned a five-star rating and is ranked among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for maternity care by HealthGrades, a health care quality ratings company, and is one of only 34 hospitals nationwide to earn Solucient's 100 Top Hospitals designation six or more times. To learn more about Palmetto General Hospital, visit www.palmettogeneral.com.