I remember taking photographs with my 35mm film camera; that great feeling of anticipation when collecting the processed photos from Boots, opening up the packet, discovering how the pictures had turned out, and standing at the counter, reliving memories whilst flicking through the pictures. The great feeling of having the pictures in my hand.
I resisted buying a digital camera for as long as I could. However, once I finally made the move to digital, I never looked back. It was simple to use, it never ran out of film, I could instantly see the quality of each image and take as many as I liked until I had the perfect one, it allowed storage and back-ups on my laptop and external hard-drives, and I could easily share images with family and friends electronically. Why had it taken me so long to realise this!?
On my travels, I speak to many vets and vet nurses, and it seems they have similarly enjoyed the transition from film to digital radiography. Now, as Direct Digital (DR) becomes so much more affordable, the conversion from Computed Radiography (CR) to Direct Digital becomes the next step in our journey into improved technology.
Here are some reasons to convert to direct digital radiography:
Life becomes much easier with the increased speed of direct digital radiography. Compared to CR, which averages around 1 minute to display image, direct DR presents an image on screen in around 3-8 seconds (depending upon the system).
Time is money, and by reducing the time taken for processing, X-ray procedure time will be shorter. Also, in comparison to CR systems, DR systems need less routine (daily and weekly) maintenance. This allows practice staff to give more time to patient care and completing more procedures or tasks. Further, patients have to be under anaesthetic or sedation for shorter periods.
Using DR you can gain high quality images, time after time. If it is not right, you can reset and retake quickly, without having to replace the animal and/or detector. You can also adjust the image on the screen easily, making post-processing alterations.
Whilst we always aim to get the perfect X-ray on the first try, this is not always possible. This is especially true in the case of projections like hips scores, where perfect positioning is so important.
If you use a DR system, you don’t need to remove the detector from beneath the patient to process the images unlike with CR. This not only reduces manual handling, but also means the patient is still in position. Tweaking your positioning is much easier to do and can make acquiring the perfect hip score much faster, reducing the stress of ensuring the perfect projection.
Sending images electronically to referral vets or specialists is easy, and this can be done as a direct upload, or via email, USB or CD. The BVA now accept digital images for Hip and Elbow scores, and these can be sent direct from most DR systems, thereby making image sharing even easier.
You can also easily set up monitors in consult rooms to show clients X-rays. Just remember to consider how you are going to archive and back-up all your electronic images.
The ongoing costs for DR compared to CR can be lower, overall. While the service contract may cost a little more up front, there are fewer items of equipment like cassettes and processors to worry about.
Direct Digital systems generally require lower amounts of radiation to produce an image compared with CR systems, often in the order of 2-3 times. Not only will that reduce the amount of scatter when radiographing large animals, especially horses, but it will go a way to improving the radiation safety of these procedures.
Make better use of available space within the practice. Generally, digital processors have small footprints that are easier to fit within your practice compared with the much larger CR processors and multiple cassettes.
Taking an X-ray in a stable and instantly seeing the image on a tablet or laptop screen is now the norm with the latest DR technology. Owners can be shown X-rays there and then in the stable. Consider how much time used to be wasted having to go back to a horse to retake X-rays! If you ever used CR radiography in equine practice, how many times did you get back to the practice to process plates, only to realise there is a problem and that you are going to have to go back to the patient again?
Also, if you invest in a battery powered X-ray generator you can take X-rays anywhere - even in the middle of a field. If it is not possible to move a horse, the X-ray machine can be brought to it, which has welfare benefits.
Investment in the latest DR technology demonstrates a practice’s commitment to progressively improving patient care, and the improvements in workflow gives valuable time back to staff.
We often hear how vets and nurses regain a love for radiography once they have made the move to DR. Taking X-rays becomes easier, faster and more fun. This makes better use of your team’s time and improves the quality of service and care you can provide your patients and their owners.
So when your CR systems begin to slow you down, don’t simply repair it. Invest in direct digital. You will not regret it and, like my own move to taking photos with a digital camera, you will never look back.
Did you enjoy this blog article?