PACS, DR and Digital X-Rays Offer a Cutting Edge Set of Equipment for Urgent Care Facilities
by admin on Apr.28, 2011, under Business, Health, Lifestyle
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One of the major components of the rapid practice of emergency medicine is the ability to promptly read radiographic tests and nothing has streamlined that process more than the use of digital imaging equipment such as PACS RIS systems . This system not only allows the emergency physician to read standard radiographs, the so called “plain films”, but he can also view computed tomography, ultrasound, and nuclear medical studies without leaving the department or waiting on a radiologist’s interpretation.
Every radiograph can be manipulated to assist the physician’s diagnostic decision. Contrast can be adjusted, zoom is available, and the image can be made a positive or negative depending on what is being viewed. Immediately, often before the patient returns from the radiology department, the images can be viewed and frequently either redone or supplemental images can be ordered. Also measuring tools and digital markers are available to further enhance the image, and the image can be saved to a CD or DVD, can be transmitted to other facilities or physician offices via the internet, and can be archived for instant retrieval if the patient returns to the ED or urgent care, and the DICOM format is HIPPA compliant.
The patients in an emergency or urgent care setting vary widely in their presentation and demographics, and they rarely arrive one at a time. Without advocating for replacing the skill and knowledge of a trained and competent radiologist, any tool that makes more diagnostic information available to the emergency physician will enhance and improve care. Therefore any and all methods to effectively and efficiently streamline the process and flow should be considered, and digital imaging systems are one of the most efficient tools available to the modern urgent care or emergency department today.
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Jerry is a programming veteran that develops teleradiology solutions designed to help doctors, radiologists and other medical professionals operate their practices more efficiently.
