[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/passavant-karens-story\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/passavant-karens-story\/","headline":"Patient Safety Is a Top Priority at UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging in Cranberry","name":"Patient Safety Is a Top Priority at UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging in Cranberry","description":"Women know that mammograms are a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. But many wonder if they should delay their regular screening out of COVID-19 safety concerns. As a heath care provider, Wexford dentist Karen Smith Saundry, DMD, was determined not to skip this important cancer screening. \u201cI had no doubt that Magee-Womens […]","datePublished":"2020-08-17","dateModified":"2022-05-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/GettyImages-1322616160.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/GettyImages-1322616160.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/passavant-karens-story\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Women's Health"],"wordCount":445,"articleBody":"Women know that mammograms are a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. But many wonder if they should delay their regular screening out of COVID-19 safety concerns.As a heath care provider, Wexford dentist Karen Smith Saundry, DMD, was determined not to skip this important cancer screening. \u201cI had no doubt that Magee-Womens Imaging in Cranberry would be following every safety guideline for their patients and staff,\u201d she says.Karen and her brother operate busy dental practices in Wexford and their hometown of Aliquippa. When both locations temporarily closed due to COVID-19, Karen began researching and planning safety protocols for their reopening. \u201cI learned what\u2019s essential to protect our patients and staff,\u201d she says. She also decided to schedule a mammogram at Magee-Womens Imaging at UPMC Passavant\u2013Cranberry the first week of May.UPMC follows strict safety guidelines issued by state and county health departments to protect against spreading the virus \u2014 plus more of its own. \u201cIt\u2019s very safe to come to UPMC for a mammogram\u201d says Kimberly Harnist, MD, a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging for UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging. \u201cWe know women are concerned, so we are following strict safety protocols \u2014 from screening everyone for COVID-19 prior to entering any of our facilities, sanitizing our imaging equipment, wearing protective equipment, as well as utilizing remote registration and social distancing in our waiting rooms.\u201dThose standards put Karen at ease.\u00a0 \u201cThe staff explained the exact protocol to me so I knew what to expect,\u201d she explains. \u201cI felt comfortable and cared for throughout my screening. UPMC Passavant is doing everything to keep people safe.\u201dA normal mammogram today doesn\u2019t mean you can forego future screenings. \u201cWomen who have postponed their annual mammogram due to COVID 19 are encouraged to schedule an appointment. \u00a0Early detection allows us to provide the best treatment and follow up care,\u201d says Dr. Harnist. \u201cScreening mammography is a covered benefit from insurers and there are resources available for women who do not have coverage.\u201dAs a health care provider, Karen knows that many people are avoiding routine health care visits and important screenings because they\u2019re afraid of getting COVID-19. That\u2019s why she turned to social media, sharing every detail of her experience on Facebook. \u201cPutting off a mammogram \u2014 when time can be of the essence \u2014 just didn\u2019t make sense to me,\u201d says Karen. \u201cI want people to know mammograms save lives and that they\u2019re in good hands.\u201dFor more information or to schedule an appointment with UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging, please call: 412-641-4700 or 1-800-649-4077.If you are over 40 years old, a prescription is not required for a screening mammography."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Patient Safety Is a Top Priority at UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging in Cranberry","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/passavant-karens-story\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]