Agfa Gevaert : HealthCare’s Digital Radiography platform achieves “Best-of-Breed” status according to Frost & Sullivan
March 02, 2016 at 04:06 am EST
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Press release
Mortsel, Belgium/Greenville, SC
March 2, 2016 10:00 AM CET
- Frost & Sullivan white paper indicates that Agfa HealthCare's DR system addresses 'The Three Pillars of Digital Radiography's Value Proposition' - Agfa HealthCare's image processing software, MUSICA, is highlighted as a key competitive differentiator for Agfa HealthCare - Agfa HealthCare customers indicate that the ability for Agfa HealthCare's DR system to produce excellent image quality at significantly lower radiation doses while still increasing productivity were key factors in their purchasing decisions
In a white paper titled, 'Raising the Bar by Lowering the Dose,' Frost & Sullivan has concluded that Agfa HealthCare's direct radiography (DR) platform, highlighted by Agfa HealthCare's MUSICA image processing software, is 'well differentiated' from the competition and meets 'best-of-breed' status by addressing 'The Three Pillars of Digital Radiography's Value Proposition:' producing excellent image quality, keeping radiation dose as low as reasonably achievable, and enabling high workflow productivity.
In its analysis of the radiography industry and Agfa HealthCare's DR platform, Frost & Sullivan determined that the true differentiator in imaging today is the sophisticated software that makes a DR system better able to meet the complex demands of users. Agfa HealthCare's MUSICA image processing software is cited as a leader in the industry for its ability to deliver excellent images at up to 60 percent lower radiation dose* compared to conventional CR/DR, and according to the study, up to 40 percent lower than current DR competitors. In addition, MUSICA's use of fractional multi-scaled processing results in high-resolution images with sharp detail and high contrast, which increase an interpreter's diagnostic confidence.
The strength of MUSICA was one of several advantages cited by Agfa HealthCare customers, who were queried on their rationale for selecting Agfa HealthCare's DR system and the benefits that the platform offers. In interviews conducted by Frost & Sullivan, technologists from health systems across the U.S. noted that the image quality produced by Agfa HealthCare's DR system and its ability to impact workflow and radiation dose were the leading reasons why they purchased Agfa HealthCare's DR systems over those of competitors.
Louis Kuitenbrouwer, Vice President Imaging Division, Agfa HealthCare commented, 'Agfa HealthCare's DR technologies were designed with our customers' needs in mind. We're excited that our DR systems are continually rated as top products for image quality with sharp details. As noted in the Frost & Sullivan white paper, achieving high image quality while enabling dose optimization and productivity enhancements is the 'three-pronged key to success for hospital radiography services.' We can confidently say that our DR technologies offer high resolution, quality images at the lowest radiation dose reasonably achievable, which according to our customers translates into significant workflow benefits.'
*Testing with board-certified radiologists has determined that Cesium Bromide (CR) and Cesium Iodide (DR) Detectors, when used with MUSICA image processing, can provide dose reductions between 50 to 60%, compared to traditional Barium Fluoro Bromide CR systems. Contact Agfa HealthCare for more details.
Agfa Gevaert NV issued this content on 02 March 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 02 March 2016 09:05:23 UTC
Original Document: http://www.agfa.com/he/global/en/internet/main/news_events/news/archive/he20160302_f&s.jsp
Agfa-Gevaert NV is one of the world leaders in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of imaging systems and products. Net sales break down by sector of activity as follows:
- Radiology solutions (36.9%). Agfa-Gevaert NV supplies radiology departments of hospitals all over the world with traditional X-ray film, hardcopy film and printers, digital radiography equipment and image processing software. Agfa's roots are in traditional medical imaging, but in today's healthcare market, digital radiography has become the dominant technology. All Agfa's digital radiography systems are offered with the company's leading MUSICA image processing software and its MUSICA workstation for image identification, acquisition and quality control;
- Digital Print & Chemicals (35.6%). Agfa-Gevaert NV supplies sign & display printing companies with a range of highly productive and versatile wide-format inkjet printers and dedicated inks, in addition to workflow software, cutting machines and inkjet media. Agfa produces classic film-based products, such as film for non-destructive testing and aerial photography, as well as microfilm and film for the production of printed circuit boards;
- HealthCare IT (21.6%). Agfa-Gevaert NV offers Imaging IT Solutions (The Enterprise Imaging platform creates a true imaging record for every patient, containing all possible images of the patient, regardless of the department and the facility that created them), Hospital IT Solutions (the leading Hospital Information System /Clinical Information System ORBIS, connects medical departments and administrative departments of hospitals into one virtual network), and Integrated Care Solutions (these solutions support collaboration across the borders of care organizations and medical disciplines and enable hospitals to actively engage with all stakeholders in the expanded care process, including physicians, informal care-givers and patients) ;
- Offset solutions (5.9%). Agfa-Gevaert NV is a leading supplier to the printing industry, offering innovative and reliable solutions. Commercial, newspaper and packaging printers around the globe rely on Agfa for the most extensive range of integrated solutions, from computer-to-plate systems with digital offset plates over color management and workflow optimization software to pressroom chemicals.
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