Children's National Health System selects Agfa HealthCare's DR Technologies to reduce radiation dose in pediatric patients

Agfa HealthCare announced today that Children's National Health System has installed six DX-D 100 mobile DR systems and two DX-D 600 full room direct radiography (DR) suites to transition two X-ray rooms from computed radiography (CR) to DR. The installation followed a thorough review of several DR technologies in which Agfa HealthCare's DX-D 600 system was determined as well suited for the hospital's pediatric patients given its potential to reduce patient radiation exposure as much as 60%. Additionally, the DX-D 600 was chosen for its ability to accurately and automatically perform full-length spine imaging, which pediatric patients often require for scoliosis evaluations. The DX-D 100s were selected to provide a more efficient means to image patients. The units are extremely easy to operate, maneuver well in tight spaces, and deliver a high quality image.

Children's National is the premier pediatric care provider and only health system designed for children in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Serving the nation's children for more than 140 years, Children's National is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. The health system's internationally recognized team of pediatric healthcare professionals treats more than 300,000 patients each year who come from throughout the region, nation and world.

Dose reduction potential key factor in decision

"Imaging with Agfa's DX-D 600 system has elevated our image quality and consistency. We have been able to improve our pace of service and enhance patient satisfaction. It is of the upmost importance to us that children requiring X-rays are exposed to radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable, while also providing images of excellent quality," commented Sanya Tyler, Radiology Services Manager, Children's National Health System. "Agfa HealthCare's DX-D 600 with MUSICA image processing enables us to deliver these extremely important benefits to our patients. As a result of Agfa HealthCare's best-in-class DR technology, Children's National is supremely confident that we now produce images of excellent quality while being able to manage radiation dose. The DX-D 600 systems have allowed us to achieve this."

Children's National installed one DX-D 600 fully automated system to easily conduct accurate full-length spine imaging for scoliosis evaluations, which are often conducted on the hospital's pediatric population, as well as one DX-D 600 semi-automated system that can be manually adjusted by the technician when needed. This was followed by the installation of six DX-D 100 mobile DR systems. "We made a concerted decision to go with the Agfa HealthCare mobile units for their easy operation, high quality imaging and superior service personnel," continued Tyler.

Integrated with Agfa HealthCare digital radiography solutions, Agfa HealthCare's industry-leading MUSICA image processing software brings multi-scaled image processing to a new level by showing exquisite detail in low noise images that allow technicians to capture consistently high-quality images. Furthermore, MUSICA is applied automatically without the need for time-consuming window leveling or re-processing of images.

Enabling excellent delivery of patient care, for precious pediatric population

"The integration of our DR systems at Children's National Health System is a testament to our DR product offerings and mission of enabling excellent delivery of patient care, particularly for the precious pediatric population, through state-of-the-art MUSICA based imaging technology," said Ueli Laupper, DR Business Director, Agfa HealthCare North America. "Children's National is one of the most prestigious pediatric healthcare systems in the world. We have valued the hospital as a long-term customer of our Computed Radiography technologies, and are honored to be chosen as their partner to migrate to DR workflow and productivity. We have focused on pediatric imaging excellence for many years and are committed to assist the diagnostic team of Children's National in their quest to serve their patients using the lowest radiation dose reasonably achievable."