AGFA GEVAERT : North Tees and Hartlepool benefits from MUSICA image quality, cost savings and streamlined workflow with Agfa HealthCare’s DX-D Retrofit

- Upgrades existing CR system to wireless DR system, maximising their existing investments in imaging equipment - Quick and easy installation that was easily adopted with minimal training - Excellent MUSICA image quality, fast previews, low cycle times and smooth integration with radiology and other hospital-wide information systems - Immediate benefits, particularly in the hospital's Chest Clinic, with significantly increased patient throughput whilst retaining high image quality

Agfa HealthCare announces today that it has successfully implemented three of its wireless DX-D 30C Retrofit DR upgrade solutions at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The solutions were procured through the NHS Supply Chain. An Agfa HealthCare customer for over 7 years, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital and community based healthcare to around 365,000 people living in East Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and surrounding areas and part of Sedgefield.

MUSICA image quality and more efficient patient care
Agfa HealthCare's DX-D Retrofit is a cost effective solution for an easy upgrade of CR-based modalities to wireless DR, maximising existing imaging investment. The NX workstation interface shares the same look and feel as Agfa HealthCare's CR solutions, and offers fast previews, low cycle times and excellent integration with radiology information systems (RIS), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and other hospital-wide information systems. The system is standard equipped with MUSICA, Agfa HealthCare's next generation image processing software that improves workflow and reduces waiting and examination time to provide more efficient patient care.

Higher patient throughput, increased flexibility
Darren Smith, PACS Manager, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust comments: "The DX-D Retrofits are being used in two new Siemens general purpose x-ray rooms and an existing Philips Chest Clinic. These rooms were CR only and by adding Agfa HealthCare's DX-D Retrofit solutions we now have the workflow and image quality benefits of DR. We've also seen immediate benefits, especially in the Chest Clinic with significantly increased patient throughput whilst retaining high image quality. In addition, the wireless capabilities offer convenience and portability, which is a huge benefit around a busy hospital. Our staff also found the system very intuitive as they were already familiar with Agfa HealthCare's NX workstations, so additional training was kept to a minimum."

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, radiographers 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, maximising efficiency and keeping costs low.

Meeting the Trust's needs
"We are delighted to see our products continuing to support North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust with cost effective solutions that meets their needs," says John Flavell, Imaging Sales Manager, Agfa HealthCare UK.
"DX-D Retrofit is proving a very popular product in our DR range as it maximises existing imaging investment, is flexible and easy to use. Whilst the Trust was able to increase productivity, image quality remained high, key decision factors for North Tees and Hartlepool as part of the DX-D Retrofit procurement."