Digital radiography boosts productivity for Cambridgeshire hospital

One Cambridgeshire hospital has identified a major rise in productivity following installation of a new digital radiography (DR) system.

An internal survey at Edith Cavell Hospital, part of the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, revealed a 60% boost in productivity in the radiology department in which the machine was used.

“Examinations can be completed in as little as 30 seconds, which is a real benefit for patients, and we are seeing dramatic reductions in waiting times”, said Paul Crockatt, Radiography Informatics Manager at the hospital.

The machine, manufactured and installed by Kodak, outputs to a workstation so the images can be viewed, analysed and archived. The workstation is networked, so images can be trans­ferred to consultants or sent to laser printers to create hard copies. Archives are held at Peterborough District Hospital.

“The levels of resolution allow our surgeons and clinicians to see things we’ve only seen pictured in anatomy books”, said Crockatt. “Because it moves in three dimensions, the equipment is also immensely flexible so it’s ideal for patients who may have mobility problems or disabilities such as arthritis.”

The system is also portable and can be carried on a mobile imaging trolley, rather than being fixed to a table.

Edith Cavell and Peterborough District are part of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The trust was one of the first 10 in England to be awarded foundation status on April 1 this year.