WVU Medicine (Morgantown, W.V.) installed five CARESTREAM DRX-Evolution Plus Systems (see video link) and 12 CARESTREAM DRX-Revolution Mobile X-ray Systems to provide high-quality diagnostic imaging at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital’s outpatient center and the healthcare system’s Fairmont Urgent Care Clinic.
The 645-bed academic medical center and its affiliated outpatient and urgent care clinics began converting to digital radiography several years ago to achieve excellent image quality, higher staff productivity and rapid image access for physicians.
“We installed three room-based imaging systems to deliver fully featured, high-quality imaging that delivers the fine diagnostic detail required by our orthopaedic, pediatric, trauma, podiatry and other specialists,” said Crystal Rosenberger, Radiology Manager for the hospital’s outpatient center. The outpatient center performs more than 400 exams a month.
Each room-based imaging system is equipped with three DRX detectors. The system’s wall stand and table have fixed detectors and a wireless tabletop detector is used for cross-table and orthopaedic exams. The system’s software automatically stitches images together for long-length studies.
“Having fixed detectors expedites complex exams while simultaneously reducing the risk of dropped detectors. We conduct a lot of spine, long-length and scoliosis exams and the productivity we gain is easily worth the investment in an additional detector for each system,” Ms. Rosenberger explains. “We also like the flexibility to use the imaging system in automated or manual mode as required for specialty exams.”
She adds that the detectors are well-built and have survived drops, been recalibrated and tested and then returned to service. The facility’s newly designed detectors are thinner and lighter and have an IPX 57 water-resistance rating that can enhance longevity.
The Fairmont Urgent Care Clinic uses two room-based imaging systems to perform a wide variety of exams including chest, cross-table, podiatry and extremity exams.
“These new DR rooms offer automated capabilities that can reduce the chance of injury to technologists. We can also use the system in manual mode when needed for specialty exams so we have the best of both worlds,” Ms. Rosenberger explains.
J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital deploys 12 mobile X-ray systems that capture thousands of diagnostic exams a month. “Even after heavy use throughout our facility these portable imaging systems continue to deliver excellent image quality and reliability,” said Ms. Rosenberger.
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About West Virginia University Medicine
WVU Medicine unites the physicians and scientists of the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center with the hospitals, clinics and health professionals of the West Virginia University Health System. Together they are a national leader in patient safety and quality, and are unified and driven by an unbridled passion to provide the most advanced healthcare possible to the people of West Virginia and beyond. WVU Medicine includes the physicians, specialists and sub-specialists of the West Virginia University School of Medicine; the affiliated schools of the WVU Health Sciences Center; four community hospitals; three critical access hospitals; and a children’s hospital, all anchored by a 645-bed academic medical center that offers tertiary and quaternary care. For more information please visit www.wvumedicine.org
