After Cuero Regional Hospital implemented REALISM™ software, Konica Minolta Healthcare’s next-generation advanced image processing software, repeat exposures in digital radiography dropped 20%*. Technologists no longer make adjustments on every image, increasing their efficiency and enabling a higher patient throughput. Radiologists’ productivity and diagnostic confidence are significantly enhanced with the sharpness and clarity of images, including the ability to visualize bone and soft tissue in X-rays. And, patients receive exceptional quality care in shorter exam times.
Nestled between Houston and San Antonio in South Texas, Cuero Regional Hospital offers many of the same services as larger urban-based hospitals.
According to Tyler Lemke, Director of Radiology, the hospital had been using Konica Minolta Healthcare CR systems since 2007. When it came time to upgrade the systems to DR, he naturally turned to the same company that he trusted for high quality and reliable X-ray imaging solutions.
Image quality is the most important feature of our imaging systems for our radiologists to make a confident diagnosis, enabling our clinicians to deliver high quality and more personalized patient care,” Lemke says.
This level of image clarity is made possible because REALISM software processes bone and soft tissue data independently, revealing subtle details even in areas where bone overlaps soft tissue. The first time Lemke used REALISM software when imaging an extremity on a patient, he was very impressed by the clarity and sharpness of the images.
“In the wrist where there are many small bones, I immediately noticed the fine de- tails and sharper images allowing me to see finite details of each bone,” Lemke explains. “The images were so crisp the bones just popped and the edges and trabeculae of every bone were very clear.”
“We have also noticed that REALISM image processing enables us to visualize soft tissue without changing the window levelling, saving us time on each exam,” Lemke adds. He says that it is most often used in exams of the neck to visualize bones and soft tissues, in the spine including lateral C-spines, chest X-rays and orthopaedic extremity imaging.
Implementation is easy
REALISM image processing is easy to implement and use. A newly trained technologist who previously only used CR was able to quickly learn how to use and manipulate the new AeroDR wireless flat panel detectors with REALISM software after just one demonstration.
Lemke has seen first-hand improved department efficiency and workflow due to the increased image clarity and sharpness from REALISM software.
“With the previous system and software, I would make image adjustments prior to sending the images to PACS,” Lemke says. “Now, with REALISM image processing, I rarely touch them. I almost always get exactly what I want with the new system, only occasion- ally needing to make an adjustment.”
“Just recently, I was able to complete chest X-rays on three patients in eight minutes. That’s getting them in, capturing the exam and letting them go,” Lemke says.
Radiologist productivity and diagnostic confidence have also increased, which has helped increase accuracy of the radiologists’ reports. One radiologist has shared with Lemke that he can read through X- rays acquired with AeroDR wireless flat panel detectors and processed with REALISM software faster – without being concerned that he has missed anything.
“With REALISM and AeroDR, we can now see things in X-ray that we couldn’t see before,” Lemke says
