MEDRAD, Inc. has signed a research agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) to study the impact of automated Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) administration on the workflow for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging procedures. Clinicians at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida will utilize MEDRAD's Intego(TM) PET Infusion System to measure and infuse patient-specific FDG doses while industrial engineers from USF gather and analyze workflow data.
The study is designed to compare manual infusion to automated infusion, and to quantify time, cost, and labor savings that is expected to result from the process improvements enabled by automated FDG infusion. The Intego System improves workflow by eliminating manual steps in the preparation and handling of patient doses through design that incorporates a multi-dose FDG vial and dose-on-demand technology. Intego also provides safety and accuracy benefits by reducing radiation exposure from dose preparation and infusion by at least 20% and infusing FDG within +/- 2% of the measured dose.
"Intego improves workflow and saves time, compared to manual infusion," says Doug Descalzi, Executive Director, MEDRAD Molecular Imaging. "Intego workflow and process advantages are unique and can be significant contributors in a growing PET clinic's efforts to manage costs and drive utilization."