BISBEE �” Teleradiology will soon be joining other telemedicine services offered at Copper Queen Community Hospital.

The hospital has been awarded a $184,822 grant under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As one of 105 recipients from 41 states selected for the funding, the hospital was the only health care facility in Arizona awarded the grant.

According to hospital officials, the funding is designated for the purchase of a Picture Archival and Communications System, or PACS.

The new system means radiologists will be available 24 hours, seven days a week to read images.

“We now take X-rays in Douglas,” said Jim Dickson, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “We already have teleradiology in place for CAT scans, but this system is all modalities, to include ultrasound and flat plates. With this new PAC system, we’ll have the ability to digitally transport our radiographs and have them read immediately.”

Installation is expected to begin Jan. 1, with the system fully operational in March.

“This is exciting for our hospital,” Dickson said. “Through telemedicine, we’re actually raising our level of emergency service because we now have immediate counsel with different specialists.”

The hospital will have the ability to transmit images to physicians’ homes and offices, along with instantaneous transmission to other medical facilities, if deemed necessary.

The grant will fund the replacement of existing developing equipment with the new computerized radiography version. Along with immediate feedback from radiologists, the digital transmission of X-rays will provide improved clarity and enhancement capabilities.

All three Copper Queen Community Hospital clinic locations �” Bisbee, Douglas and Palominas �” will benefit from the technology, as patients will be able to receive this service at the Copper Queen Medical Associates clinic closest to their home, saving them time and transportation costs.

The hospital’s mission of providing access to care will be furthered by the addition of this teleradiology program, Dickson said.