Baptist Health Richmond strengthens care with donor-funded DEXA system

Baptist Health Richmond is helping patients get to the bone of their health with advanced equipment that makes it easier to detect conditions like osteoporosis. In recent years, the hospital has been improving patient care through the addition of the Horizon™ bone densitometry system from Hologic. 

The DEXA system, short for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is a medical imaging device that measures bone density. It’s a quick, painless test that uses a low dose of X-rays to determine how strong or weak your bones are. 

At the core of this care is Baptist Health Foundation Richmond, whose generous donors provided the funds for the specialized system. 

“The DEXA machine is primarily for females, though we do see male patients as well,” Jeremy Honaker, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Baptist Health Richmond, explained. “It looks at bone structure and strength, especially for patients with conditions that weaken bones.” 

Jeremy oversees all imaging modalities and staffing at the Richmond hospital. Although the DEXA machine was funded and installed before he arrived, he immediately recognized its value. The system is a vital resource, especially for older adults and those with a family history of osteoporosis, which affects millions of men and women worldwide. 
“It uses X-rays to measure bone density and helps diagnose osteoporosis, osteopenia –and even assess fracture risk,” Jeremy said. “It’s used really often at the hospital.” 

Housed within the Breast Imaging Center, in the outpatient services area, the DEXA system adds another layer of support to Richmond’s imaging services. Beyond routine screenings, it plays a key role in monitoring cancer patients. 

“We see a lot of cancer patients who need their bone strength checked during treatment,” Jeremy noted. 

Services provided through the addition of the DEXA machine reinforce the level of care at Baptist Health Richmond, and keep the community on a stronger path to wellness. The community notices the progress made possible by donor generosity, and hospital employees like Jeremy do, too. 

“It’s phenomenal to have this support,” he said. “Equipment like this can be expensive, and having local donors provide resources directly to our hospital saves us from navigating red tape. It’s beneficial to the department, the hospital, and, most importantly, our patients.” 

DEXA System