UZ Brussel Hospital Goes Fully Digital with DRX
Reading Time: 2 minutes read
Wim Op de Beeck, Major Accounts Manager, Carestream Belgium
A complete change in imaging strategy for a teaching and research hospital with nearly 800 beds and 200,000 radiology patients a year is no small feat.
For the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel) Hospital, its digital transition began a decade ago with the addition of a CARESTREAM PACS. Next came the conversion of existing Siemens and Philips mobile units with CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit Kits. And soon the hospital’s final digital piece will be place as part of construction of a new Emergency Department—two DRX-1 Systems becoming mobile x-ray rooms, going wherever imaging is required.
Digital has dramatically changed technologist productivity and patient care. Radiographers previously took 25-30 phosphor plates with them on intensive care round for chest x-rays. Now they take 1 wireless DR detector and doctors can see the results immediately at the bedside to speed treatment.
The flat panel detector with higher DQE allows clinicians to take images at a lower dose than with phosphor plates and helps guide procedures like positioning of catheters, inter-aortic balloon pumps and line control.
Hear first hand from the staff at UZ Brussel about their digital radiography conversion:
UZ Brussel anticipates their capacity will double with the DRX-1 Systems – treating an estimated 300 to 400 patients – per day when the Emergency Room is complete.
If you’re thinking of making the conversion to digital – here are three takeaways from UZ Brussel’s experience:
- You don’t have to go digital all at once – select compatible, scalable components that can meet today’s needs and grow with you.
- Protect your investment – retrofit kits can allow you to convert your existing equipment in lieu of a complete replacement.
- Find a technology partner you can trust – look for a vendor partner who understands your challenges and has a vision to meet your evolving needs.
Has your rad department gone digital? What advice do you have for a department about the make the transition?
