Dear AuntMinnie Member,
As the move toward digital image management becomes an inexorable force, imaging facilities are aiming to digitize the last analog holdout: radiography.
It’s a formidable job. Conventional x-ray studies still make up the lion’s share of imaging procedures, but low reimbursement for most exams means that any effort to upgrade or replace existing technology brings an uncertain return on investment. Productivity gains are held out as digital x-ray’s saving grace, but will they really apply to all imaging facilities?
Fortunately, AuntMinnie is here to help with our latest Technology Review article, by contributing editor Robert Bruce. We analyze the two competing approaches to digital x-ray, digital radiography (DR) and computed radiography (CR), describing each modality’s core technology, acquisition and maintenance costs, and impact on workflow and technologist productivity.
The debate over CR versus DR is no simple either-or question. Each technology has both benefits and drawbacks that ensure that both will continue to coexist for years to come.
In fact, installing a new DR room might make perfect sense for one facility, but could be the wrong choice for another site. Which category do you fall into? Find out by heading to our X-Ray Digital Community, at
http://x-ray.auntminnie.com.
