Diagnostic imaging that was often being used to improve patient care and support better patient outcomes is now receiving help from digital x-rays because it helps to expand consultation capabilities and enhance client interaction. In the veterinary industry, it became the gold standard for over 15 years. What began as an expensive investment of over $ 100,000 when initially introduced has now become mainstream and more affordable.
Digital x-rays offer many advantages over film-based radiography. They can offer better image quality, ease of use, reduced exposure to radiation, cost-effectiveness, and fewer retakes. Let us look at the advantages of digital x-rays in further detail.
Enhanced Image Quality
Getting a clear view from traditional film x-rays was not always easy especially when taking a kidney, ureter and bladder x-ray. The errors were usually due to patient movement, positioning, and exposure issues. It was also difficult to zoom or change the appearance of the image. If veterinary practices consistently had trouble obtaining high-quality radiographic images using the conventional method making the change to digital radiography was a solution that proved beneficial. The image processing algorithms of digital radiography was more accommodating than the film and practices could expect images that had a balanced presentation of bone structures and overlapping soft tissue along with a genuine depiction of the anatomy.
Cost-Effectiveness
Chemicals, film, and processing costs are expensive without calculating the time of the staff for developing the film. Spending a lot of time to develop teeth and bone x-rays by using outdated methods is an expensive procedure even for medical professionals who also had to invest in space for a darkroom to be used to archive radiographs for conversion to other users. Digital x-rays allowed images to be sent to a computer and viewed within seconds after being captured indicating that technicians do not need to spend time on menial tasks such as filing and retrieving films giving themselves more time to attend to productive tasks.
Ease of Use
Digital x-rays are easier to use than film-based systems and can reduce the number of poor quality images because of technician and exposure errors. Digital technology is faster than conventional radiography and the computer software allows calibration of light, diversity, zoom, and pan to optimize bone and soft tissue of chest x-rays in a single exposure. The only requirement is for the patient to be positioned correctly and almost everything else can be adjusted with a few clicks of the mouse or even gestures with the fingers on the viewing screen.
Fewer Retakes
The time taken by film radiography is higher as every image needs to be assessed after it comes out of the processor and put on a lightbox. However digital x-rays can be viewed instantly and the process allows the technicians to determine whether the patient is positioned correctly when obtaining lungs x-rays or even abdomen x-rays. The advanced features such as creating shot lists and 3D position Assistant available at their fingertips of the technician allows users from novice to expert is to get more out of digital radiography than before.
Reduced Exposure to Radiation
Digital x-rays offer twofold safety benefits because fewer retakes ensure a reduction to radiation both for patients and staff and the state of the digital sensors are more responsive than film ensuring that less radiation is required when producing a single image. The reduction in radiation is as high as 70%. Staff members and patients both benefit from the reduced exposure to radiation with digital systems that are giving staff additional peace of mind.
Medical professionals cannot consider upgrading their radiography equipment to digital technology is a wasteful expenditure. When chosen appropriately the investment in digital radiography can provide a substantial return on investment with increased efficiency. It can provide better diagnostics and in most cases increase the caseload of radiology. When medical professionals decide to invest in the DR systems that are advanced they can enjoy higher quality images to diagnose patients faster with greater confidence. Patients also benefit because they receive treatment faster, heal faster and lead healthier and happier lives.