News

Moundview Memorial’s Medical Imaging Department is moving closer to becoming a completely digital department with the installation of a Konica Computed Radiography (CR) System. This new digital technology saves time, money and produces detailed, high quality images for diagnostic x-ray exams. It was funded by a $64,000 grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and $6,000 from the Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

 

With the new CR system, technologists no longer need to use x-ray film which must be sent through a processor to be developed. Instead they use CR cassettes which contain imaging plates that can be re-used thousands of times. The cassettes are placed into a reader that scans the plates and immediately displays the image digitally onto a monitor for viewing. Images are printed on a “hard copy” film or CD for storage. 

 

“The new system saves time for the technologist, physician and patient,” said Jeanette Larson, Medical Imaging Director at Moundview. “There is no waiting for film to be developed. The image can be read immediately which is especially important in emergency situations. On nights and weekends, routine x-rays can be transmitted digitally to a radiologist at an offsite location for immediate interpretation.”

 

The CR system’s advanced technology also results in high quality images. It captures detailed information which can be manipulated to provide the best possible view. The technologist can highlight specific areas of an x-ray image and zoom in for a closer look. There is no need to retake an x-ray for a better view which avoids additional radiation exposure for patients. 

 

In the future, the department plans to add a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). This will allow images to be stored in a digital format to enable physicians to view their patients’ examination results on computers in their offices or from other hospitals with the use of a password. 

 

“More hospitals are moving toward digital imaging,” said Jeanette. “In order to provide the best service to our customers, we need to keep up with new technology.”