Program Devised to Supply Radiology Departments with Advanced Digital Radiography Systems

A program is designed to provide hospitals an avenue to upgrade their technology, while maximizing their existing investment. The program includes novel solutions to keep systems and technology up-to-date.

Program allows imaging facilities to advance at their speed and budget from computed radiography (CR) using conventional powder imaging plates (IPs) to either a new generation of CR using crystalline cesium needle IPs or directly towards cassette-less based direct radiography (DR) with dose reductions of 50%.

Agfa HealthCare (Mortsel, Belgium) reported that its Fast Forward DR upgrade program was developed to support and enhance hospitals’ and medical imaging departments’ digital imaging evolution. The flexible program allows healthcare organizations to take their imaging costs to a higher level, for higher quality images, increased productivity and a more efficient workflow. It includes stage-by-stage guidance by Agfa HealthCare to help the facility get the most from the benefits of digital radiography, whether computed radiography (CR) or direct radiography (DR). Because all Agfa HealthCare’s digital radiography systems are equipped with the same user-interface, staff training and adaption time are reduced to a minimum.

The program also comprises software updates, including next-generation MUSICA image processing and dose management, and service and support for greater return on investment. On top, Agfa HealthCare offers financing solutions to pay for the upgrade over time, thereby minimizing capital expenditures.

Options can be selected to tailor the program to provide advantages such as the potential for dose reduction, with technologies such as cesium iodide (CsI) for DR and cesium bromide (CsBr) for CR. With their higher X-ray absorption and conversion efficiency, they offer a greater detective quantum efficiency (DQE), which can lead to higher-quality images and lower dose requirements, improving the optimum balance between dose and image quality. Testing with board-certified radiologists has determined that cesium bromide (CR) and cesium iodine (DR) Detectors when used with MUSICA processing can provide dose reductions of between 50%–60% when compared to conventional barium fluorobromide CR systems.

“The Fast Forward DR Upgrade Program is part of our objective to ensure that every healthcare provider—whatever its size and budget—can benefit from the advantages of digital imaging solutions,” said Louis Kuitenbrouwer of Agfa HealthCare. “It also demonstrates our commitment to accompanying and supporting our customers throughout their digital journey, providing a pathway to their own, customized future.”

Agfa HealthCare clients have already reported several advantages of fast forwarding their radiography technology. For instance, Summa Health Systems (Akron, OH, USA), one of the largest integrated healthcare networks in the US state of Ohio, just did an upgrade of their radiography systems. That included the installation of the DX-D Retrofit and DX-D 100 Mobile DR systems, as well as needle-based DX-M systems in combination with moving up to the next generation MUSICA image processing software. “This initiative allows us to continue using existing equipment, but with key add-ons that provide a seamless transition to the digital format,” stated Jeanette Doria, system director of imaging services, Summa Health Systems. “This upgrade is expected to increase overall productivity, workflow, and image quality.”

Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC; CA, USA), in addition, transitioned to DR through the upgrade program. The unique cost structure of the program allowed LLUMC to transition its CR technologies to Agfa HealthCare’s market-leading DR technologies. “Patient engagement, comfort, and satisfaction have greatly increased as a result of our upgrade to DR,” says Aimee Gallegos, RT, interim manager pediatric radiology at LLUMC. “We see better staff efficiency and significant time saving.”

Zwanger-Pesiri (Lindenhurst, NJ, USA), one of the largest non-hospital based radiology practices in the United States, decided to initiate a study to compare findings. The study’s goal was to determine if Agfa HealthCare’s DX-D 300 required less exposure and patient dose versus two other systems in use at Zwanger-Pesiri radiology. Results showed that, while the amount differed depending on the type of exam, the average dose on most exams was more than 40% lower with the Agfa HealthCare system, still providing high quality. The success of the study has led to the purchase of five more units.

“With all of the elements of Fast Forward,” concluded Mr. Kuitenbrouwer, “the aim is to give radiology departments a pathway to the future, and enable an even higher return on their digital radiography investment.”

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