Digital Radiography – Electronic X-Ray – When, Why and How?
It seems like we have crossed the healthcare frontier and the only thing left to conquer is analog or film based x-ray systems. MRI’s, CT’s, Ultrasound, PET, Bone Densitometry, Mammography and most diagnostic imaging systems output digital data, that is except for Radiography and Fluoroscopy. Most existing systems are still analog and put out either x-ray film and/or analog video. Although most mobile C-arms are now being produced with digital output capability, most existing C-arms, X-ray systems and R/F systems have not yet been upgraded. When you consider that today there are more x-ray studies done than any other modality study, we should concede, we are way overdue in moving to electronic Rad and Fluoro. These upgrades should probably be initiated before all others at medical facilities today. The sooner digital conversion takes place the sooner cost savings will be realized and productivity will be enhanced. So when we ask the question, “When should we convert to digital X-ray?”, the answer should be “now” or “as soon as possible.”
There are many reasons why the conversion should take place, but first and foremost, as always, is cost savings. The cost to purchase, process, duplicate, archive and access film is enormous. Although the actual cost of film is relatively inexpensive, the cost of a film processor, its maintenance, replacement, chemicals and dark room facilities is not cheap. Then, the cost of filing, storing, retrieving, and/or duplicating film further compounds the cost. Now, add in the time it takes to process and possibly re-shoot, because of poor quality, and the time it takes to transport the film study
to the physician or technician, and you probably can cost justify the purchase of a digital solution in less than two years. The last factor is the amount of time saved during the procedure itself, thereby increasing the number of patients able to be x-rayed in a given time period. Actual throughput for a single system can probably easily accommodate 8-10 studies per hour, probably an increase of 30% over a film based system.
The bigger question is how do you make this conversion? If you have not had much time to look into digital conversion, you will find there are quite a few options.
Although the technology was developed several years ago, it continues to evolve and price continues to change as well. The least expensive and most popular solution is Computer Radiography (CR). These systems consists of cassettes/phosphorous plates, a reader/converter and a computer workstation. The cassettes/plates are inserted into the table or the chest bucky, similar to inserting a film cassette. The plate is exposed to x-ray, the cassette is removed and inserted into the reader/converter, which reads the exposed plate and produces a digital image. The plate is then erased and ready to be used again in the same process. The image is available at the computer workstation for viewing, transfer to a radiologist and/or transfer to a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). CR systems range in price from low performance systems (one plate processed every 60 seconds) at $30K- $40K to high performance systems (multiple plates processed in 30 seconds) at $90K-$100K.
About the Author
Charles Patti is President/CEO of NCD Medical Corp. and National Consulting and Development Corp. Charles is based in northeast Ohio and has been in business since 1987. His diverse background includes sales, engineering, and business management. He has strong experience in Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Document Management Systems, Main Frame Computer Systems, and Combustion Control Systems.
Charles J Patti, President/CEO
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