Why move to a digital radiology system for your veterinary practice?

It makes good dollars & sense.

Versatility, form and function expedites critical diagnostic testing

Tech-savvy veterinary practices that were early adopters of digital radiology equipment in the 2000s already know the benefits a digital system brings. Indeed, the tools have already been fully embraced by forward-thinking hospitals and clinics around the world due to their versatility, functionality and ROI. Still, despite the fact that most everything today is digitized in this era of the “internet of things,” many veterinary practices are still relying on archaic, costly radiology equipment for diagnosis when dealing with their clients’ animals.

With digital radiology (DR) systems, no longer does a clinic or hospital need to support a darkroom, nor deal with complicated chemicals and expensive plastic film processing and storage. And, as use increases across clinics, digital image quality has increased while seeing prices fall within reach.

So what are some of the benefits of adopting a digital radiology system?

DR systems are fast: DR systems produce results much more quickly than traditional systems. No lengthy development process required.

They are effective: Accuracy and precision are key in diagnostics. DR technology delivers in this area, as the systems produce clear images that contribute to better diagnoses. Feature-rich DR systems have greater functionality than traditional systems. DR systems produce the desired results, without ever compromising quality.

They are user-friendly: DR systems come with tools that make them versatile, intuitive and easy for trained personnel to use. According to an article in Veterinary Practice News, imaging techniques are simplified by the versatile tools offered by a DR system: "Digital technology is much faster than conventional radiography, and the software allows adjustment of brightness, contrast, zoom and pan on a single exposure. As long as the patient is positioned correctly, most everything else can be fixed by the machine’s controls." 

They are portable: Mobile/portable DR digital table systems include detachable, removable parts that make x-ray technology mobile. Mobile DR systems bring the best radiology technology wherever it needs to go, enhancing productivity and providing versatile solutions for a veterinary facility.

They are affordable: No longer are digital systems outpricing traditional models. As the field has evolved, prices have gone done, making DR systems more accessible to practices of all sizes.The cost to maintain a digital system, once implemented, is much lower than maintaining the expensive products necessary to support ongoing use of a traditional x-ray system. DR systems increase and enhance radiology productivity, as explained in our earlier blog post. According to Veterinary Practice News, hospitals and clinics that invest in the technology see "faster return on investment" due to the systems' workflow advantages. 

“We spent a good deal of time in research and development consulting with professionals in the field for input on how to create DR products that answer all practitioners’ long-time complaints about traditional x-ray machines,” said Joe Hecker, President of Diagnostic Imaging Systems (DIS) and product development director for the department of imaging services. “DR systems’ benefits now surpass anything we expected, making them far superior to traditional x-ray systems. If cost is the only thing standing in a clinic’s way when it comes to adoption, they will want to take into consideration the cost savings that DR systems ultimately bring.”

Isn’t it time you started moving your practice toward an affordable digital radiology system?

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Contact us today to discuss how we can help you move into Digital X-Ray practice 1-800-346-9729

To online request more information page; http://vetxray.com/information.html

Veterinary Digital X-Ray Equipment: Purchasing Value, Not Price

Buying any digital x-ray equipment, whether new or used, CR or DR, is not an inexpensive investment and shouldn't be treated lightly. However, too often we get hung up on price, looking for the cheapest equipment around to get us by and save a few dollars. This can be a fatal mistake, one that will cost you plenty more in the future.

First Consider SECURING the FEATURES, ADVANTAGES, and BENIFITS of purchasing Quality Equipment, from a Full Service Imaging Equipment Provider. This should be your first step before considering any digital x-ray equipment purchase. Remember this is an investment into your company now and long into the future. The VALUE benefit’s provided by quality equipment and a full service company cannot be solely based on only the purchase price.

Ask yourself these questions... What are its Value FEATURES that will benefit your staff by making them more efficient? What are the value ADVANTAGES in buying from a full service company over another equipment provider? Will the Value BENEFIT in spending a little more now ensure the continued lower maintenance cost and less equipment down time now and in the future when compared to purchasing a lesser product from an unknown provider? How much experience and what type of service after the sale does the company you're buying from offer in terms of a Safe Secure Investment?

We are not advocating going out and buying the most expensive x-ray equipment because it has the most bells and whistles. You need to find a balance between the features, advantages, and benefits, with how much you can afford to spend to insure you a Valuable Safe and Secure return on your investment. So when purchasing your new digital equipment don’t make the mistake of making price your top priority, consider the total value in your investment!

Contact us today to discuss your options 1-800-346-9729

Choosing an appropriate Digital Radiology System to fit your Veterinary practice

Purchasing a digital radiography system can be a daunting task. Considerations such as service and support, detector technology, image quality, software functionality, PACS, DICOM, backup and practice management integration are topics that must be considered at some point in your digital modality purchase.

The trick is to avoid becoming overwhelmed and to evaluate each digital modality in a systematic approach.

In my many years of dealing with a wide array of Veterinarians imaging needs (34 years) I have learned the starting point for any imaging purchase discussion is which type of technology is appropriate for your practices. In this case we are talking about Digital imaging systems. The three types of detector technology are computed radiography [CR], direct digital radiography [DR], which includes Flat panel and [CCD] type cameras systems.

Determining which system is right for your practice.
The digital imaging modality you choose will be based on how these 10 factors will affect your practice and how much weight or value you place on each one.

1). Practice type
2). Cost vs. value
3). Image quality
4). Service contract costs
5). Longevity of the system
6). Is an X-ray machine also needed to be purchased?
7). Service record of equipment provider
8). Digital imaging expertise of equipment provider in veterinary medicine
9). Software integration, Dicom, Pacs capable, support costs with internet support
10). Warranties

Is a CR system the right choice for your practice? 
 
CR uses imaging plates to generate a digital image. These imaging plates are placed in a CR reader, which generates a digital image. The workflow has a similar feel to film-based systems

Despite claims made by some DR vendors, veterinarians choosing CR will see a degree of time savings and increased efficiency in radiology over film based systems.

The image quality from CR systems is equal to or superior to many DR systems. It my opinion pocket pets and exotics, CR systems may perform better than many DR systems. CR is a mature, secure technology, There are more CR systems installed and in use than any other digital technology.

Similar CR systems are used in the human medicine with only a change in software. One side benefit of purchasing this technology from DIS is our guaranteed support of the software and hardware for at least seven years even if the manufacturer stops supporting the product as long as we have the parts available.

CR provides many benefits at a lower cost than any of the DR systems. The quality CR systems DIS provides can be installed for around $30,000. This mature, secure technology with high grade image quality is the easy choice for any veterinary practice, particularly if you want to use your existing x-ray machine.

CR systems are sold by many different types of suppliers, national veterinary distributors, catalog houses and local x-ray dealers. My experience and the experience of many of our Veterinarian friends are, when purchasing a CR system the support provided by the equipment provider and the knowledge they have obtained from many years of Veterinary imaging expertise (DIS 30 years) is just as important as the CR system that is purchased. A couple of questions to ask your equipment provider: is a hot swap warranty provided at no additional charge; do you provide toll-free unlimited software support?

Next week we'll discuss CCD type DR systems and DR Flat Panels.

Digital X-ray System Enhancing Radiology Productivity

Digital Navigator all in one 4-Ways Veterinary Digital X-ray System

Enhancing Radiology Productivity

New DR4300 17x17 Small Animal and DR3500 14x17 Mixed Animal digital x-ray systems

When your Veterinary Hospital or Clinic begins planning its new digital radiology equipment purchase it makes good sense to evaluate the latest in mobile / portable x-ray all in one solutions for your center’s imaging department. Joe Hecker who is President of Diagnostic Imaging Systems (DIS) and product development director for the department of imaging services, explains that the changes in Radiology equipment usage and economics inspired by feedback from technologists, Veterinarians and radiologists has lead to the development of the most advanced, versatile and cost effective all in one digital radiology system available.

“The reasons we got into product development was based on Doctor’s concerns and complaints about the current digital imaging equipment’s non-mobility, lack of user friendly features and subsequent compromising quality,” says Mr. Hecker. “And from the technologists’ stand point; there had also been issues with lack of functionality.” To enhance the productivity for both the Veterinarian and the technologists, Mr. Hecker and his team of experts set out to develop the first totally new fully self contained mobile / portable digital radiology system that would address their concerns. He explains that past experience with their stationery digital DR systems had been very positive, but lacked the mobility / portability and ease of use necessary to make them truly versatile solution to the needs of the entire Veterinary facility. This lack of Versatility which led to the subsequent compromising image quality of the present digital system inspired the team to seek the functionality and versatility that the company’s Versa-View x-ray System offered but now offer it with digital capability.

First productivity-enhancement: Any room flexible operation.

A mobile / portable DR digital table system which offers detachable x-ray unit and removable DR panel was essential because most veterinary facilities contain more than just a radiology room, most facilities also contain an emergency room, surgical center with operating room and a recovery room, all of which would share the Versa-View Digital Navigator x-ray System. “Being able to share the Digital Navigator between and within these rooms while seeing the image results by the patient’s side enhances clinical efficiency while providing faster better patient care,” says Mr. Hecker. “With the maneuverability, the compact size, the speed of processing, and the image quality the new redesigned Digital Navigator would prove to be a perfect fit in any clinical environment, small or large animal”.

Second productivity-enhancement: In Field Small and Large animal productivity.

During development of this new system Mr. Hecker realized an opportunity to support the small animal imaging plus the large animal in facility mobility needs plus the field x-ray capability without compromising quality. Mr. Hecker explains that with their new Digital navigator systems sharing capability the veterinarian would no longer have to purchase an additional x-ray system nor the additional Digital image capture device. Equine doctors have indicated how they needed to go to a Digital Navigator system because of its fast and high quality images plus it was the ideal single solution for both in office and field usage and would fit in perfectly.

Third productivity-enhancement: Ultra powerful, Ultra light high capacity x-ray unit.

When you’re dealing with a large breed Canine abdomen or Equine shoulder, it’s important to have the ability to properly penetrate thick body parts in the shortest exposure time possible. “One of the reasons our Digital Navigator systems outperform all the others is because this system has the Ultra powerful 12040Hf high capacity x-ray unit’s 120kVp power setting, producing sharper detailed images with less exposure time than the competitors’ units and is Ultra light weight for easy handling”, Mr. Hecker notes.

Fourth productivity-enhancement: All in one improved workflow and productivity.

Soon, the development team found a Fourth productivity-enhancing use for the Digital Navigator’s Mobile System: With its patient side image viewing while in office and field, the DR Digital Navigator also aided with improving technologist workflow and Veterinarian productivity.  A special hospital project aimed at reducing the time in the main emergency room for report turnaround on possible fractures and foreign bodies, they again selected the 4 way all in one Digital Navigator with integral high capacity x-ray unit, computer imaging display and mobile imaging table combination. Mr. Hecker explains that the decision was driven by lengthy procedure time required by the facilities regular x-ray system. “You had to take the x-ray, process it, look at it, send it to the PACS, then pull up the PACS in the OR room,” he recalls. “We realized the only way we could get any faster was to get away from the old system and integrate all the components.”

“Today”, Mr. Hecker stated, “now images are processed right on the Digital Navigator system; the Veterinarian sees the image in the preferred x-ray examination area, and can rapidly make a determination about whether a fracture has occurred or foreign object is present.” With the planned addition of wireless internet capability, Mr. Hecker anticipates even greater increases in productivity. “The Veterinarian, technologists and referring physicians will be quite happy with the new digital Navigator’s all in one 4 way productivity performance” he concludes.

ScanX CR Scanner Cash or Trade For New DR Flat Panel

Are you tired of lugging around your old, heavy ScanX or other CR Scanner in the field? Are you fed up with replacing digital CR plates every couple of years and having to keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance? Do you want something faster, lighter, and with better image quality? Diagnostic Imaging Systems has the answer with the new DR-wizard 14x17 Cassette-Size Wireless Flat Panel.

The DR-wizard is 37 pounds lighter than a ScanX Trek, 10 times faster, has better image quality, zero maintenance costs, and you don’t have to buy new plates or cassettes every couple of years.  Now you can have all the benefits a TRUE DR FLAT PANEL SYSTEM has to offer plus the convenience of receiving and transmitting X-RAY IMAGES wirelessly within seconds from anywhere in your facility or in the field at an affordable price! 

The DR-wizard is affordable for any veterinary facility, but you can save even more money by trading in your old ScanX or other CR scanner. DIS will take your used CR system and give you top dollar in cash, or you can use the trade value for the new DR-wizard. With monthly payments around *$500, you will quickly see your return on investment. Check out our easy to use CR Scanner Cash or Trade Value Calculator.

The DR-wizard comes with a 1 or 2-year warranty and lifetime toll-free support from the DIS trained in-house service department. You can trust that your purchase of the DR-wizard will be a sound, safe and secure investment from a company with over 30 years of diagnostic imaging expertise.