Wireless Digital Radiography Detector Improves Emergency Department Patient Care
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Earlier this year University Hospital was named the best hospital in San Antonio by U.S. News & World Report in its first-ever ranking of “best hospitals” for 52 U.S. metropolitan areas. This highlights the outstanding efforts of our physicians and staff to use new technologies and processes that enhance patient care.
We see an average of 200 radiology patients a day in the emergency department (ED), and during peak periods we can see 30 radiology patients in an hour. We are able to provide improved care after converting our imaging system in the busy Level 1 Trauma Center to a DRX-1 detector with the CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit kit.
We now use wireless digital radiography (DR) technology to triage incoming trauma patients. Images are viewed on the mobile system in about three seconds, so ER physicians can immediately assess the severity of each patient’s condition and determine the most effective treatment plan.
According to our ER physicians, using a mobile imaging system is much faster and safer for trauma patients because they do not need to be moved from the gurney or stretcher. The thin DRX detector is also the best option for patients who are in pain and cannot be moved due to possible spine injuries.
Retrofitting our existing CR-based imaging system with a wireless DRX detector achieves faster image access and better resolution than CR technology—which translates to better care for critically ill or injured patients.
How do you triage incoming ED patients? Are you using CR or DR mobile imaging in your ED?
