A First for Local Radiology Firm

Ballina’s North Coast Radiology branch has become the first private radiology practice in Australia to introduce a new digital radiology system, the latest in state-of-the-art technology.

Made by Fujifilm, the system was installed late last year.

Diagnostic radiologist Dr Warwick Herbert said it had made a big difference to the operations at North Coast Radiology.

“Because we can move the panel around, it makes things a lot easier for our patients, particularly for the elderly or infirmed patients” he said.

“We don’t have to get people out of wheelchairs anymore.”

“And the DR system uses 20 percent less radiation, which is another good thing.”

“That’s the direction technology is moving in.”

The new system at North Coast Radiology now combines the advantages of both DR and Computed Radiology with just the flick of a switch.

The new DR system can be used with existing xray equipment.

It is connected by a cable and transmits images directly on to a computer screen.

DR also allows radiologists to do more images per minute.

“If you are fast, you could do six images a minute instead of one” Dr Herbert said.

It means less waiting time for patients and less discomfort.

North Coast Radiology carefully considered the new equipment, and consulted sites which already had installed the Fuji-film CR/DR solution before deciding that it would be beneficial for patients.

The DR system implementation was carried out with two engineers in less than five hours, and it worked straight away.”

A team from Fujifilm’s medical systems group visited Ballina last week to inspect the new system.

North Coast Radiology general manager Bruce Tually said he felt it was important for patients and the community to know they were keeping up with the latest technology.

“We have fantastic and very skilled people here, and we also have the best equipment.”

North Coast Radiology, which has more than a 30-year history, has a technology planning group which continually searches the market for new technologies and equipment.

Ballina Shire Advocate, 17th February 2011