Allegheny General Hospital Unveils New, State-of-the-Art Imaging Center

$100 million renovation of imaging and radiology department at AHN’s flagship hospital enhances diagnostic care with advanced technology

PITTSBURGH  – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today celebrated the completion and formal opening of a new, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging center at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH). The $100 million 50,000-square-foot facility was designed to create greater access to and better patient experiences with the hospital’s imaging services and is equipped with the most advanced technologies available for the diagnosis and treatment of health issues.

As a leading referral center for advanced medical and trauma care, AGH provides vital imaging services to thousands of patients annually. The new imaging center ensures the hospital is positioned to continue delivering the highest quality diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology services for years to come, according to Jeffrey Mueller, MD, interim chair of the AHN Imaging Institute and division director of cardiothoracic imaging.

"From rapidly diagnosing stroke, to precisely planning cancer treatment, to confirming the presence or progression of cardiovascular disease, and countless other applications, imaging and radiology services are fundamental to exceptional patient care," said Dr. Mueller. "This amazing new facility, equipped with the most sophisticated technologies available, allows our clinicians to make more informed decisions quickly, leading to earlier and more effective treatments and ultimately, better outcomes for our patients."

Led by board-certified radiologists and staffed by specially trained technologists, nurses and support staff, the new center provides a comprehensive range of imaging services. Dedicated suites offer advanced capabilities in X-ray, general and vascular ultrasound, interventional radiology, CT, MRI, PET/CT, and more.

The CT and MRI suites feature leading edge diagnostic imaging technology, such as the NAEOTOM Alpha® CT. AGH is the second hospital in Western Pennsylvania and the only adult facility to offer the Alpha CT – a revolutionary, photon-counting scanner that delivers superior image quality with lower radiation doses. This breakthrough technology provides for more accurate diagnoses through  its ability to capture contrast-rich images with higher spatial resolution.

The suite also features two powerful 3T MRIs, which provide enhanced clarity, contrast and faster scan times compared to traditional MRI scanners. This advanced tool allows for detailed visualization of brain tumors, precise stroke detection and sensitive assessment of neurodegenerative diseases, facilitating earlier diagnosis and treatment planning for neurologic conditions and certain cancers.

Leveraged by both nuclear oncology and nuclear cardiology, the center’s new PET/CT machine facilitates earlier detection and more comprehensive evaluation of heart disease, cancer and other conditions, while also supporting increased patient throughput.

The facility’s new interventional radiology suite features two single-plane and two bi-plane angiography rooms. Angiography, a technique that uses X-rays and contrast to visualize blood vessels, allows doctors to identify blockages or abnormalities. Guided by real-time imaging, physicians can perform minimally invasive angioplasty, stenting and embolization procedures. AGH is a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The new angiography suite allows specialty physicians the ability to provide rapid minimally invasive therapy for stroke and aneurysm patients.

AHN and Highmark Health have invested approximately $400 million over the past several years to enhance the capabilities of the AHN Imaging Institute and expand patient care capacity across the region. Most recently, AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital completed a $12 million renovation of its imaging and radiology department, and AHN Jefferson Hospital completed a $4.6 million renovation and expansion of its Breast Center and Outpatient Imaging Center.

The Imaging Institute recently completed a four-year effort to achieve Diagnostic Imaging Centers of Excellence (DICOE) designation for its 36 imaging facilities. Considered the industry’s most distinguished achievement, DICOE designation identifies imaging programs that delivers the highest level of patient care, quality and radiation safety. Throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Delaware, AHN is the only health system to achieve this prestigious designation among adult imaging centers.

Walk-in X-ray services are available at the AGH imaging and radiology department Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For other imaging services, patients can schedule an appointment through MyChart or by calling (412) DOCTORS.

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