Pius Hospital in Oldenburg, Germany, Implements DX-D Retrofit Direct Radiography Upgrade Solution

Affordable and versatile solution delivers cost savings, streamlined workflow and reduced workload

Mortsel, Belgium - -German hospital upgrades existing CR cassette-based system to wireless detector DR system, maximizing its existing investments in imaging equipment. - Solution was easy to install, required no significant staff training and has reduced staff workload per patient. - DX-D Retrofit offers any healthcare facility, regardless of size or budget, a cost-effective solution for moving to DR.

Agfa HealthCare announces that it has implemented its DX-D Retrofit direct radiography (DR) upgrade solution at Pius Hospital in Oldenburg, Germany. This cost-effective yet versatile solution has allowed Pius Hospital to upgrade its existing computed radiography (CR) system to a DR solution, while maximizing its existing investments in imaging equipment. As part of a cassette-less and filmless solution, DX-D Retrofit provides a host of benefits that improve workflow and speed up exam time.

Excellent productivity to meet high volume demand
The 400-bed Pius Hospital serves a wide geographical area, providing both general medical services and highly specialized expertise. But its major focus is on oncology; it has centers dedicated to breast, lung, colon and pancreatic carcinomas. These specialty centers require more imaging and pathology exams than other hospitals of this size, so productivity in these domains is key.

Up till September 2012, the hospital used an Agfa HealthCare CR system for mammography and the emergency department. “We decided to upgrade to a wireless detector, which would make workflows more convenient and faster, and also save on cassette costs,” says Dr. Alexander Kluge, Director of the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology.

After analyzing the different DR detectors on the market, the hospital chose Agfa HealthCare’s DX-D Retrofit solution, consisting of a flat panel detector, a retrofit box and an NX workstation with Agfa HealthCare’s gold standard MUSICA2 image processing software, which provides excellent contrast detail and exam-independent, consistent image quality.

Easy installation, potential dose reduction
DX-D Retrofit is a connection-only solution, for an easy upgrade of film- and CR- based modalities to DR. The NX workstation interface shares the same look and feel as Agfa HealthCare’s CR solutions, and offers very fast previews, low cycle times and excellent connectivity with radiology information systems (RIS), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and hospital information systems (HIS).

The quick and easy DX-D Retrofit installation is non-invasive: with its simple connection to the X-ray unit’s console, not to the unit itself, there is no risk to the existing equipment. It comes with a choice of wireless Cesium Iodide (CsI) and tethered Gadolinium Oxy-Sulphide (GOS) detectors.

Reduced workload, increased flexibility and better infection control
The DX-D Retrofit has significantly reduced staff workload for each patient, according to Dr. Kluge. Because it is wireless, the DX-D Retrofit also offers enhanced flexibility and improved infection control.

Demographic data is automatically fed to the NX workstation from the PACS, and acquired images are transmitted directly onto the detector, streamlining workflow and speed of exams. Within seconds after the acquisition, technologists can pre-check the image, approve the technical quality, and transmit it wirelessly to the PACS. The detector fits into any standard bucky tray, and can be used in multiple X-ray modalities, meaning it can be shared among several rooms or modalities as needed, maximizing efficiency and keeping costs low.

Advanced image quality and swift turnaround times
“Innovative and still affordable, medical technology supports us in managing our mix of patients, which includes many complex cases, by providing advanced image quality and enabling swift turnaround times. The DX-D Retrofit is the perfect illustration of a solution which supports our goals,” concludes Dr. Kluge.

“We are very pleased to continue supporting Pius Hospital with solutions that meet their evolving needs,” says Hans Vandewyngaerde, Vice President EMEA region, Agfa HealthCare. “DX-D Retrofit is a key element in our continuing focus on offering a complete solutions portfolio for both CR and DR that does not compromise on either image quality or productivity. The situation of Pius Hospital is a great example of how this focus allows us to maintain a truly long-term and evolutionary relationship with our customers, with the common goal of constantly improving patient care.”