Optimized Workflow In A Hospital For Small Animals

Tierklinik Elversberg is a veterinary emergency and trauma hospital that is on stand-by round the clock and cooperates with a large number of practicing veterinarians in the vicinity. Naturally, the clinic also performs routine examinations. The treatment range of Tierklinik Elversberg ranges from small animals and pets to birds and reptiles. In order to optimize the diagnostic facilities Dr. Alexander Pack and Dr. Karl Scherer and their team of veterinarians decided some months ago to change-over to digital X-ray. Dr Pack and Dr Scherer view the taken X-ray images Direct radiography as retrofit solution In mid-2009 OR Technology installed the Medici 1417 direct radiography solution. This is a retrofit solution: The hospital can continue to use the existing X-ray system. The system was converted to digital with a flat panel detector and the dicomPACS®DX-R acquisition software for X-ray images. Since the flat panel has the same dimensions as the traditional 43 x 35 cm cassette, it was not necessary to modify the bucky tray. The X-ray system is operated via a 19” touch screen PC. The solution also integrates the existing ultrasound unit. One PC was newly installed in the operating theatre so that X-ray images will be available there at any time. Easy to operate “The intuitive operation via the touch screen monitor had us convinced straightaway” explains Dr. Karl Scherer the reasons for change-over. “We can use it to control the entire X-ray system. The functions are laid out very clearly and are easy to operate. Another point in favour was the simple transmission of X-ray images to colleagues via e-mail.” As soon as the digital X-ray images have been taken, they are available at all five viewing stations within the clinic. The images are archived by the image management system dicomPACS®vet. Efficient workflow “The quality of the images is consistently high and I have access to all images at any time” says Dr. Karl Scherer. “We are now able to take many more X-ray images than before because digital X-ray technology has simplified the workflow in our clinic enormously. HD X-ray imaging now only takes a few minutes and saves us a lot of time.” “Thanks to the integrated tools for image optimisation, it is no problem if images are not optimally exposed as a result of animals not holding still. In that case, I simply correct the images”, Dr. Alexander Packs adds. Positive review Dr. Karl Scherer sums it up: “The introduction of digital X-ray imaging has been a great success for us. An important aspect is that we can already say that the system will soon have paid for itself.” About OR Technology OR Technology has been operating in the area of digital image processing since 1991 targeting the national and international market. The company, located in Rostock, Germany, provides system solutions for conventional and digital X-ray technology in human and veterinary medicine. Large veterinary clinics and universities as well as smaller surgeries in more than 40 countries are using OR Technology’s solutions with great success.

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