AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital to expand enhanced imaging services, radiology department

A $12 million expansion project is underway at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison to enhance the imaging and radiology department.

The new AVH imaging center will expand the hospital’s imaging department capabilities and absorb the services currently offered at AVH’s outpatient radiology center located 2 miles from the hospital on Freeport Road in Natrona Heights.

The Freeport Road radiology center will close this summer.

Staff currently working at the AVH Freeport Road outpatient imaging location will be joining the expanded imaging center, or they will have the chance to move elsewhere at AHN, according to the hospital network.

The new AVH imaging facility will feature a broader range of radiology services, including additional breast imaging and mammography capabilities as well as dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. DEXA measures bone density and helps to diagnose conditions such as osteoporosis.

AVH’s current imaging services include ultrasound, 3D mammography, CT scanning, MRI, and general radiography.

“This investment in Allegheny Valley and its radiology department will further advance our care-giving team’s ability to make the most accurate diagnosis possible for our patients, which helps to address their health needs in a timely and clinically appropriate manner,” Vincenta C. Gaspar-Yoo, Allegheny Valley’s president said, in a news release.

AHN Imaging Institute chair Bethany Casagranda said it’s critical to have comprehensive imaging care close to home.

“By combining our (Freeport Road) location with AVH, patients will have everything they need conveniently located under one roof,” Casagranda said. “This arrangement will help our patients live their best and healthiest lives.”