A second mobile health screening center allows Norton Healthcare providers to visit more patients closer to home and catch more conditions before they become more difficult to treat.

Story by: Erica Coghill on August 18, 2020

A new Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center gives the hospital and health care system two mobile centers for health screenings, allowing providers to visit more patients closer to home and catch more conditions before they become more difficult to treat.

“Our Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Centers allow us to meet patients where they are, oftentimes in areas where access to health care is more of a challenge,” said Krista MacArthur, clinical services manager with Norton Healthcare Prevention & Wellness. “Even people without health insurance are eligible for mobile screenings, as we may have financial assistance resources available for those who qualify.”

The Norton Healthcare Foundation funded the new center with a $1.26 million grant.

“This is another key tool in Norton Healthcare’s toolbox that helps to ensure we are doing all we can to bring health care to those in our community,” said Lynnie Meyer, Ed.D., R.N., CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “For some, the accessibility of a mobile health screening is what compels patients to make that sometimes lifesaving appointment.”

Nearly 1,900 people visited a Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center in 2019. Of those patients, 1,795 had mammograms, and 14 people were diagnosed with breast cancer.

In addition to traditional digital mammography, the new Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center has the ability to perform tomosynthesis, or enhanced 3D mammography, which can detect smaller breast cancers earlier. Tomosynthesis is especially useful for screenings in women with dense breast tissue. The technology also makes it less likely women will be called back for a second diagnostic mammogram.

Besides mammograms, Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Centers offer well-woman exams, including breast exams, Pap smears and HPV testing. Norton Healthcare Prevention & Wellness also can facilitate colon cancer screenings and offer tobacco cessation resources.