Russo M.D. and Associates Radiology

Delivering superb image quality as well as important workflow efficiencies, Robert D. Russo and Associates believes the rapidly evolving digital mammography modality will impact the detection and management of breast disease significantly.....

According to a recent study, radiology represents nearly 90 percent of the imaging volume in healthcare today – with levels growing faster than in any other specialty. That's just one reason why David Grandchamp and his IT team at Robert D. Russo, MD and Associates Radiology have been early adopters of cuttingedge information technology applications.

"As technology changes, so does the size of the data sets," explains Grandchamp, Director of IT at Russo Radiology. More advanced equipment is producing images in finer and finer slices – 64, 128, in some cases as many as 256 – and generating files that can exceed 500 MB. Due to the size of data files and the need to share them between Russo Radiology's nine locations, it's no wonder Grandchamp was on a quest for greater bandwidth.

"To handle those files, we need bigger processors to crunch the data and bigger pipes to move it across," says Grandchamp. Traditional T1 lines or bonded T1 lines delivered throughput of 1.5 or 3 MB per second, which left doctors waiting minutes for study results. For busy physicians, any delay meant lost revenue and compromised customer service.

"Our goal was to find a single vendor and a single source solution that could tie us together on a single network," says Grandchamp. "And speed is the name of the game."

Read More Here

To read the PDF verison, please click here

Robert D. Russo M.D. and Associates Radiology has earned full three year accreditation from the Joint Commission (JC) in 2004 and again in 2007. The First and Only Full Service Private Radiology Practice in Connecitcut and New England to achieve this standard of excellence.

Click Here to see our Ad in the Connecticut Post

What is the Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs throughout the United States.  Joint Commission accreditations and certifications are recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

What does a Joint Commission Accreditation mean to you, the patient?

Our patients benefit by knowing that Robert D. Russo, M.D. and Associates Radiology has met the highest standards for quality and safety.  We are and will continue to strive for continuous improvement in our peformance.

Do you have patient safety concerns?

If you have any concers about patient care or safety please contact our management staff.  If the concerns cannot be resolved within our organization, you are encouraged to contact the Joint Commission by mail:

                          Joint Commission

                  Office of Quality Monitoring

                  One Renaissance Boulevard

                  Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Welcome to the new home of Russo Radiology! We completely redesigned our website to make our site more accesible and easier to navigate. We hope you enjoy the new changes. Stay tuned for online bill payment, appointment scheduling and more!

If you have any questions or concerns, we'd love to hear them at info@russomd.com.

From the New York Times, April 20, 2009. Read more here

"In the quest for better health, many people turn to doctors, self-help books or herbal supplements. But they overlook a powerful weapon that could help them fight illness and depression, speed recovery, slow aging and prolong life: their friends.

Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship and social networks in overall health. A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk for obesity among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could promote brain health as we age.

“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t terribly well appreciated,” said Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. “There is just scads of stuff on families and marriage, but very little on friendship. It baffles me. Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”

Robert D. Russo M.D. and Associates Radiology was graciously asked to be part of WICC and WEBE 108's Ask the Experts.  You will hear radio ads about different procedures we offer in addition to the different programs we provide to patients.   Please feel free to look around our website for more information or call 203.683.XRAY (9729).

WICC600

WEBE108

Russo Radiology is the first and only practice to give you your mammography results before you leave any of our offices.  We use state-of-the-art Digital Imaging equipment to provide our patients with quick and accurate results. Be sure to let the technologist know you would like your results before you leave and our radiologists will be happy to look at your images.  Leave with the peace of mind knowing your exam results.

Remember Russo Radiology also offers:

· All Digital Mammography Equipment

· Walk-in mammography appointments

· Save time and book your Bone Density Screening (DEXA) at the same time as your mammography

To Schedule an appointment please call: 203. 683. XRAY (9729)

You now have the ability to pay your bill online through our new website.  There is a link at the top of the homepage, as well as throughout the different pages.  In addition there is a link located in the top left corner of the bill received in the mail.  The new online bill pay is completely safe and confidential. Any questions please call our billing team: (866) 304-9060.

Click here to pay your bill online

Russo Radiology was awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accerditiation of Echocardigraphy Laboratories. The staff at Russo Radiology and the Radiologists have been commended for demostrating the practice's pursuit of excellence in the field of Echocardiography.

According to the ICAEL website, "Private offices, clinics, and departments within hospitals that are accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) voluntarily submit to a review of their daily operations. By participating in the accreditation process, these medical facilities demonstrate a commitment to the performance of quality echocardiography and strive to meet nationally recognized standards. During the accreditation process, applicant echocardiography laboratories must submit documentation on every aspect of their daily operations. While completing the application, laboratories are required to identify and correct potential problems, revising protocols, and validating quality assurance programs. Applications submitted, including samples of the echocardiograms performed, are reviewed by experts throughout the United States and Canada. Accreditation is granted only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with the ICAEL Standards."

Echocardiograms are performed at our Commerce Park Office, or to schedule please call 683-XRAY (9729)

For more information from the ICAEL, please click here

The Vein Treatment Center, located in our Fairfield Office, is officially open and accepting new patients with any type of venous insufficency, including the elimination of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins.  The procedure is minimally invasive involving a small laser that targets all affected areas, providing excellent results. Procedures take less than an hour and will allow you to walk immediately afterwards.  There is no lost time for recovery.

Varicose Veins affect men and women alike, and are enlarged, twisted, and painful superficial veins that are found on the backs of calves or on the inside of the leg from the groin to the ankle. Varicose Veins act as one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards.  Weakened one-way valves can cause some blood to leak back into a vein, which will then collect in the vein.  The vein becomes congested or clogged and causes the vein to appear enlarged or twisted.

Our Medical Director Gioia Ricco, M.D. and Assistant Medical Director Kathy Orazietti, PA-C will be leading a unique all women team that will be performing all laser removals.  They have completed training with the American College of Phlebology in a joint sponsorship with the American College of Surgeons.

For more information about the Vein Treatment Center, please call 203. 683. 4627

All insurance companies are different in regards to coverage, it is important to talk with your insurance company to know their requirements.

Dr. Russo from Russo Radiology was on News Channel 8 WTNH on Saturday August 8, 2009 discussing the organization's new procedure of giving patient's their examination results right after the test if they are willing to wait a few moments. For more information visit our website www.russomd.com or call 683.XRAY (9729).

Dr. Lewis Bader discussing spinal epidural injections to reduce pain. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call (203) 683- XRAY (9729)

Dr. Russo was on NBC NY Nightly News discussing the Healthcare Debate and how some doctors are resorting to Defensive Medicine

The Vein Treatment Center, a division of Russo Radiology would like to invite you to our annual Healthy Leg Day! This event will take place on April 7, 2010 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm at 425 Post Road in Fairfield, and refreshments will be served. It is a casual event for anyone feeling the effects of their varicose veins.  We will have a Radiologist and a PA throughout the event, in addition to other screening methods.  Collins Medical will be on hand to supply candidates with proper materials.  For more information about Healthy Leg Day, please contact the Vein Treatment Center at 203-683-4627.

"We are the first Joint Commission Accredited Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Practice, in the United States to be accredited by JC through a more intensive four day survey, specific to Advanced Diagnostic Imaging. This was a real challenge and everyone throughout the organization rose to help!" Project Coordinator, Madeline Gregorzek

Achieving this advanced accreditation demonstrates Robert D. Russo, M.D. and Associates Radiology's voluntary ability to maintain continuous compliance with the JC standards and strives for safe, quality care, achieving and maintaining excellence in healthcare in this competitive market. 

Dr. Russo would like to publicly,  Thank everyone who worked so hard on this project and who continues to maintain compliance in our day to day operations. 

Please take a look at the new video made for our Vein Treatment Center located in Fairfield.

Russo Radiology is pleased to annonuce the launch of our online appointment request form for patients.  All requests will be processed within 24 hours, during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, excluding holidays.  We encourage patients to access the system online and request appointments that fit into your schedule. Please accept the security terms to continue on with your request.  It is important to know that your information will be used solely for the use of scheduling your appointment.

To schedule your own appointment, please click here. 

Russo Radiology will not be held responsible in the event your electronic message is not transmitted due to technical problems related to this site or to the hosting server. All personal identifying information is encrypted and your message will not be internally or externally forwarded to other third parties.

We have arrived on Facebook!  Please join our fan page and show your support for the excellent service and care we provide you, your family and friends.

The Facebook page will continuously be updated with different things going on throughout the practice and medical field.  

Become our fan now by clicking below.

Robert D. Russo M.D. and Associates Radiology on Facebook

Dr. Riccio was on News Channel 12 discussing the different options people have when it comes to dealing with painful varicose veins. To schedule a consultation for your varicose veins please call The Vein Treatment Center 203.683.4627

Russo Radiology is partnering with Collins Medical Equipment, on Saturday May 15th for Healthy Leg Day. This event will take place at Collins Medical, 500 Kings Highway E, Fairfield, from 9am - 3pm and our very own Dr. Gioia Riccio will be in attendance to answer any questions or provide useful information. Sigvaris, compression stockings, and Aetrex, Foot Scanners, will be at Healthy Leg Day as well. Sign up ahead at www.collinsmedical.net Hope to see you there!

Robert D. Russo, M.D. and Associates Radiology are very proud to announce that they have successfully achieved the highest level of accreditation in healthcare, a full three year accreditation by the Joint Commission, for the third consecutive time!

Ongoing compliance with the Joint commission standards results in sound management practices in the day-to-day delivery of quality, safe care for our patients in Fairfield County," stated Dr. Russo. "Joint Commission Accreditation is mandatory for most healthcare institutions but as an organization, we have been pioneers in the field, selecting to participate in the accreditation process, to continuously prove our level of excellence.  This accreditation is recognized nationally as the Gold Seal of Approval in Health Care"

To learn more about the Joint Commission please visit their website here....

To see our Joint Commission Standings check them out here

Girls Inc of Southwestern Connecticut, Bridgeport based: The Workplace, Inc. and Russo Radiology recently partnered to help launch a youth development opportunity that is innovative and new. Growth Through Transformation - STEM Program targets high school females 15-18 years old to be presented with all different aspects of the allied health professions.  Different activities such as field trips, learning opportunities, paid work study, and afterschool sessions with a professional guest speaker from a section of the allied health field. Russo Radiology's very own Dr. Gioia Riccio was chosen to be the guest speaker for radiologists in the area.  Dr. Riccio discussed many aspects of the radiology field and the benefits of being a woman in the field.  We commend Dr. Riccio for her participation with Girls Inc and The Workplace, Inc. 

For more information on Girls Inc, please click Here

For more information on The Workplace, Inc., please click Here

As recent as October 2009, the State of Connecticut passed a senate bill entitled "Substitute Senate Bill No. 458  Public Act No. 09-41  AN ACT REQUIRING COMMUNICATION OF MAMMOGRAPHIC BREAST DENSITY INFORMATION TO PATIENTS".  This bill states that providers are to give patients necessary services if dense breast tissue is found.  Breast tissue is composed of fatty (non-dense) tissue and connective (dense) tissue.  The ratio between connective and fatty tissue differs in all women.  As women age, their breasts tend to become less dense, and it is important that the law requires practices such as Russo Radiology to inform you if you have dense breast tissue.  If you do have dense breast tissue, research has shown that an ultrasound and a mammography has a higher detection rate than mammography alone.  For your convenience  we will try to perform the breast ultrasound the same day if needed.  If this is not possible, we will schedule your appointment before you leave for a time that is convenient for your schedule, or patients are invited to make their own appointments whether that is by calling our scheduling department 203.683.XRAY (9729) or going online to request an appointment.

This information discussed is broken down into more detailed on Are You Dense, a website dedicated to be the knowledge and resource pool for women, please check out their site .  It is a wonderful source of information for all women and men who have concerns about breast density.  www.areyoudense.org 

Here at Russo Radiology we are celebrating being the first radiology practice to provide many things to our patients.  We are the FIRST Joint Commission Accredited Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Practice, in the United States to be accredited by JC through a more intensive four day survey, specific to Advanced Diagnostic Imaging.   We are also the FIRST to offer you Mammography results while you wait, in addition to offering you- the patient online appointment scheduling.  Free and convenient parking, multi lingual staff and multiple locations are other additions we are excited to offer to you.  

Here is our latest publication that is currently displayed in our waiting rooms.  

We care about you, our patient; therefore we promise many things.

We care and understand that test results are important;      

     *We promise to provide your referring doctor a report within two hours of your exam, and with urgent test results immediately. 

We care about your overall visit to our offices;      

    *We promise to provide friendly, efficent and knowledgeable staff to assist you at all times 

We care about your busy lifestyle;      

   *We promise to offer flexible hours, including evening appointments and Saturdays for your convenience

To see what else we care and promise you please look at what is currently displayed in our Mammography Rooms.

Be sure to view our new video on the Russo Radiology homepage, Click Here.  This video will give you a brief introduction on how to navigate our site with ease. 

If you have additional questions please contact:  info@russomd.com 

Russo Radiology ... One Tough Practice!    CoActiv EXAM-PACS ... One Tough PACS!

We have recently upgraded our PACS system and provider to show our commitement to our referring physicians, patients and our own radiologists.  The new PACS system is state-of-the-art, turnkey digital image management system that included a full-featured PACS with built-in 3D reconstruction, PET/CT fusion and automatic CD and DVD creation. They also needed fast on-site and cloudbased off-site HIPAA-compliant archiving with instant access to all prior exams and automatic recall of relevant priors right to the radiologist’s workstation.

Check out the Ad from CoActiv

Our very own Director of IT, David Grandchamp, has been published on Advanceweb.com discussing our new PACS system. We have upgraded our Sectra PACS system for the recently installed CoActiv system.

For the full article, click here

Russo Radiology and CoActiv are featured on Businesswire.com and CNBC.com because of the recent partnership between the two organizations.  As previously announced Russo Radiology chose CoActiv to be the new PACS server. CoActiv offers many features that are helpful to not only our radiologist but also our referring physicians, most importantly ease of use.

A preview of the article:

"Robert D. Russo M.D. and Associates Radiology, a busy five-location imaging practice headquartered in Bridgeport, CT, has selected CoActiv (RSNA Booth # 9100) to provide its advanced web-based EXAM-PACS and EXAM-VAULT^® QUAD-REDUNDANT cloud-based archiving to manage, communicate and store images from a full range of modalities enterprise wide. This busy, nationally recognized, seven-radiologist practice sought a state-of-the-art PACS that could cost-effectively support its rapidly growing image volume and store many years’ worth of exams onsite for instant retrieval, particularly mammography priors. Another important goal for the new PACS was ultra-fast image communications among its multiple sites."  to continue reading, click here

Russo Radiology is pleased to announce our newest services for patients.  Our Fairfield Women's Center has begun Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy methods. Generally, nonsurgical biopsies are less stressful (such as stereotactic) and do not disfigure the skin.  Cells are removed from a suspicious area in the breast and then examined by a pathologist to determine the diagnosis.  The Fairfield Women's Center, offers the only soft-top table in the area for maximum comfort during the procedure. For more information please contact ous; 203-683-4520.

The American College of Radiology, (ACR) the Radiological Society of North America, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologist started an Image Wisely campaign.  Image Wisely's objective is to encourage medical practitioners to use the least amount of radiation possible when imaging a patient. Russo Radiology has taken the pledge to image wisely. For more information on this campaign, visit Image Wisely online.

To view our certificate, click here

Please view this small video provided by the ACR explaining benefits of imaging testing.

The Connecticut Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure has awarded Robert D. Russo, M.D. and Associates Radiology a $22,000 grant for their Project SUCCESS Program.  Project SUCCESS (Serving yoUr Community Combining Education & Screening Services) is a comprehensive mammogramphy screning and breast health awareness program.  This program was developed in 2003 to achieve commitment in providing community healthcare resources and also outreach to women who are medically underserved and underinsured.  

Project SUCCESS collaborates with communities in Connecticut to provide convenience and accessibility for women who might not otherwise take the time or have the resources for these services.  Project SUCCESS provides a quality healthcare team of physicians, technologist, and certified public health educators, having years experience specializing in women's healthcare and are dedicated to making a difference in the management of breast health.

Pictured from Left to Right:  Lindsay Franke, Director of Project SUCCESS; Anne Morris, Executive Director of Komen CT; Carolyn Scifo, Director of Marketing

We have added a new way to join our email newletter mailing list.  Simply text russoradiology to 22828 and then your email and you will officially be on the list!

Any questions please contact: info@russomd.com

We switched our Medical Practice Software a few years ago to a company called Medinformatix.  Recently an article was published about the benefits of our use with Medinformatix, Electronic Medical Records and our addition of Zirmed. All of these programs were integrated to work together in July 2010 To read the article, click here     For the press release click here

We have recently added a link through our latest newsletter and at the top of our website for patients to take a satisfaction survey.  If you have been to one of our offices lately and weren't handed a survey, please take a moment to fill out our online version.  We would love to have your feedback on your experience or any suggestions you may have for our locations.  Thank you for your continued support.

Come join us in supporting a great foundation and have some fun in the sun with family and friends.   The Russo Family Foundation 12^th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Monday, September 17, 2012 at the Connecticut Golf Club.

The Russo Family Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the Russo Family to carry on the work of Robert D. Russo, Sr. M.D. and his wife Wanda.  The Foundation's resources assis colleges, universities, and other schools by providing expanding educational opportunities and programs.  The Foundation also supports a comprehensive breast health program providing outreach, education, screening and our diagnostic breast imaging services to the uninsured and medically unserved population.

For more information about the Golf Tournament please contact Carolyn Scifo, 203-683-4623 or email at cscifo@russomd.com

Russo Radiology is proud to announce our recognition in the Imaging Economics "Best of 2011 Radiology Facilities" annual profile of top radiology facilities, that are committed to excellence. 

As editor for Imaging Economics Marianne Matthews stated "There are approximately 30,000 radiologists practicing in the United States.  They are hard at work at hospitals, in imaging centers and in private practices across the country.  In addition to the radiologists there are thousands of radiology technologists and administratitve personnel working at the imaging facilities daily. Together these professionals make up a vital community, a medical imaging community.

Yet, all to often we hear the negative news.  Small practices are losing contracts to teleradiology companies, imaging centers are closing their doors in the tough economic climate, however some radiology practices are not only surviving but are thriving.  Imaging Economics felt it was important to celebrate the positive in the medical community by awarding the Best of 2011 Radiology Facilities."

Russo Radiology is thankful to its patients and referring physicians for the continued support.

To see a fill listing of the practices included in the Best of 2011, click here.

Our Fairfield Office has been awarded a three year term of accreditation in breast ultrasound as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This is a great achievement for our Fairfield Office and practice as a whole. The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services. Please stayed tuned for the official press release.

Our new Breast Tomosynthesis unit in Fairfield is now available. This is an additional screening tool used in conjunction with mammography in the fight against breast cancer.It doesn't even add additional time to the exam and no additional radiation either! This tool converts digital breast images into a stack of very thin slices that creates a 3D image that the radiologist can look at in one millimeter layers.