Computed Radiography Systems Provide Versatility, Convenience for Increased Workflow Efficiency in Orthopedic Practices

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 26 Sep 2011
Two new computed radiography (CR) systems offer rapid throughput and high image quality, even in limited-space environments.

Mid County Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, a division of Signature Medical Group (St. Louis, MO, USA), is now benefitting from the enhanced image quality and increased efficiency for the 40- to 50-thousand spine, bone, and joint imaging examinations the facility performs each year. With new digital X-ray systems from Agfa HealthCare (Rochester, NY, USA), clinicians at Mid County Orthopaedic are looking forward to improvements in the delivery of patient care.

Image: CR 30-X tabletop X-ray digitizer (Photo courtesy of Agfa Healthcare).

“Imaging is a very important element of our practice, and to remain competitive and assure our patients were receiving the best care, we knew it was critical to invest in high-quality digital X-ray systems,” said Mary Jones, Imaging Supervisor, Mid County Orthopaedic. “We anticipate significant improvements in both workflow efficiency and image quality from our implementation of Agfa HealthCare’s imaging solutions; improvements that will enable us to focus more on the patient and enhance the overall level of care we provide.”

The CR 30-X tabletop X-ray digitizer enables a more convenient and faster workflow throughout the entire imaging process. The system offers the efficiency and excellence in image quality typically expected from a full-sized model.

The size and ease of use of the CR 30-X is suitable for private practices such as Mid County Orthopaedic to meet all workflow requirements. The CR 35-X supports a broad range of applications and provides significant results to a facility experiencing a high volume of spinal examinations among other common orthopedic exams. The system is expected to improve efficiency for clinicians at Mid County Orthopaedic, who conduct thousands of exams monthly.

“Agfa HealthCare’s computed radiography [CR] imaging solutions are an excellent match for the advanced orthopedic care needs at Mid County or any other orthopedic practice,” said Merry Guy, senior marketing manager, Agfa HealthCare U.S. “By providing affordable solutions with rapid throughput and high image quality, even in limited-space environments, our customers can focus on providing excellent care while still managing costs.”

Both CR systems include Agfa HealthCare’s patented Musica2 image processing software, optimizing image quality and workflow. Musica2 consists of intelligent image processing technologies that independently adjust multiple levels of contrast and density within images. By producing a high image quality, independent of modality or acquisition technology, the clinician can now spend less time manipulating images and more time at the patient’s side.

In addition to Musica2 technology, Mid County Orthopaedic will benefit from the CR systems’ use of Agfa HealthCare’s NX workstation. The NX workstation provides clinicians with the ability to streamline workflow for direct radiography (DR) and CR systems and includes a full complement of management tools to assure that staff and systems are operating as planned. The CR 30-X and CR 35-X support the NX Full Leg Full Spine application where up to three, 35.56 by 43.18-cm images are automatically stitched together to create accurate full leg or full spine images for orthopedic measurements. The NX workstation provides the tools to measure distances and angles and determine leg length differences and scoliosis angles.

Related Links:
Agfa HealthCare
Mid County Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine



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