Mammography patients at the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center will now be able to undergo a faster, filmless study with less radiation exposure.
Dee Headley, director of radiology/radiation oncology, said WVUH made a "huge investment" with the purchase of digital mammography, which replaces the analog technology.
Now, instead of producing film, mammography images will all be digitally created and stored.
The technology was purchased for Morgantown and WVUH-East along with United Hospital Center.
Headley said this technology has been making headlines as it is the "gold standard" for dense breasts because it provides a better image. As a result of the publicity surrounding the benefits of digital mammography, she said, physicians and patients began seeking it out..
The Betty Puskar Breast Care Center's two locations - the original Health Sciences Center location and WVU Cheat Lake Physicians - are the only Morgantown locations offering digital mammography at this time.
In addition to the technology, WVUH is also providing mammography patients with a mammography pad - a soft, foam cushion placed on the surface of the image detector.
Headley said this, too, is an investment for the hospital, which "stepped up to help" because it wants "women to be comfortable."
Nanci Balassone, radiology manager, said the pads are warmer and provide a more comfortable mammography experience for the patient.
WVUH has also acquired state-of-the-art ultrasound technology for breast scans, Balassone said.
With these additions, Headley said WVUH now has "the top of the top of everything" and does not need to purchase any other technology to "give a woman the full spectrum of breast care she needs."
