Quick success in a Belgian hospital: Only six months after the installation of the fluoroscopy system AXIOM® Luminos dRF, substantial workflow improvements with the fully digital solution for fluoroscopic and radiographic examinations can be observed.

Changing diagnostic requirements often lead to a change in equipment requirements of a diagnostic imaging department of a hospital. Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) in Genk is one of the largest non-academic hospitals in Belgium. In addition to its high patient number, there has recently been a progressive decrease in the number of X-ray examinations as well as a concurrent increase in other diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and endoscopy. Thus, the hospital acquired the flexible AXIOM Luminos dRF system. The 43 x 43 centimeter flat detector can acquire both static and dynamic images and therefore covers a large application spectrum while at the same time reducing costs. This was also achieved at ZOL after the installation in June 2007. After only six months, substantial workflow improvements have been achieved by this 2-in-1 solution. “Workflow is significantly better compared to older fluoroscopy equipment. The optimized table geometry makes patient positioning easier than ever. Cassette handling is eliminated and full integration of HIS/RIS [hospital information system/radiography information system] and PACS [picture archiving and communication system] accelerates examinations and archiving. The instant image preview enables real-time image quality control," says Professor Yvan Palmers, Head of the Department of Medical Imaging at ZOL. Due to the digitization connected with the reorganization of the Department of Medical Imaging at ZOL, the number of examination rooms has been cut in half and cassette acquisitions were reduced to a minimum.

With the installation of AXIOM Luminos dRF at ZOL, the workflow became faster. “No more cassettes!” exclaims Ben Welckenhuyzen, a technician in the Department of Medical Imaging. “Then there is the incredible range of high-quality digital images with smooth switching from DFR [digital fluororadiography] to RAD [radiography] mode with excellent detail of images in RAD mode which replaced the former cassette radiography,” he explains. The exam duration from patient arrival to image documentation was evaluated prior to and after digitization. With AXIOM Luminos dRF, images are now available for diagnosis in less than half the time. This improved workflow efficiency is linked to fewer work steps through eliminated computed radiography (CR) cassette handling, easy patient positioning, integrated postprocessing and image documentation as well as faster examination time. The latter is as decisive for patient comfort as a convenient exam. The wide, flexible table - the lowest table height at 48 centimeters, just as high as a chair – enables better patient access and is more comfortable for both patient and staff.

Hospitals these days are under enormous pressure to reduce costs: Therefore, they have to maximize utilization of available equipment, increase the productivity of their staff, and decrease the number of rooms occupied. ”What is important to consider is not the cost of purchase, but the cost of ownership,” Professor Yvan Palmers points out. “Costs for filming, printing, room rental, maintenance, cassette handling and staff can be reduced." After the digitization, a financial evaluation at ZOL estimates the average savings per year to be 25 percent, and the total savings over five years to be 918,360 Euro.