DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY – IS IT TIME FOR THE CHANGE?

               Many clinics have been giving serious thought as to whether going digital would be a practical option for their business.  The obvious reason for upgrading to a digital system is that it is the newest technology available to veterinary professionals.  Perhaps a not so obvious reason is that while the cost of purchasing a digital system has been coming down some, the expense of maintaining a film based system is actually going up faster.

          Over the past few years, private practices and clinics, along with many large hospitals, have been converting their operations over to digital.  Hospitals that had once required thousands of gallons of processing chemicals per month now require none.  This has greatly impacted the chemical companies as the demand for their products have been drastically cut.  The chemical companies have passed their losses on to the service companies, who ultimately pass that on to their clients.

          Last year processor chemical prices increased an average of 4%.  That was somewhat a hit to customers, however this year we have already been informed by the chemical companies that we will see yet another 10% increase in the cost of chemicals.  There does not appear to be an end to these increases in the near future.  So far, we have not realized a real increase in the cost of x-ray film, however silver has doubled in value over the past year also, from around $8.00 an ounce to $16.00 an ounce.  This will eventually increase the price you pay for x-ray film as well.

          But still, when most people look into the possibility of going digital, they get a sudden case of “sticker shock.”  Buying digital is not something we can just throw onto our credit card.  It is a huge investment for any average size clinic.  But what you really must do is to look beyond the initial expense involved, as hard as that may be for most of us.

          Remember, time is money.  Digital users typically see an immediate increase in throughput and efficiency within their clinics.  Once a patient x-ray is taken, with digital the doctor has immediate access to the image.  If a retake is necessary, the doctor or technician can simply reposition the patient and “click.”  Waiting for a film to be developed is a thing of the past, and much time is saved when the developing process is removed from the equation.  Going digital also means no more searching or filing x-ray films, and now there are no more lost films either.       

          Digital systems also allow you to do much more with your images, in so many ways.  You can now take previously unchangeable shots and clean them up through image enhancement and manipulation tools to make them easier to read and evaluate, Soft tissue visualization is also dramatically increased.  Previously unusable, poor quality, x-rays can be “tweaked” at your computer, making them useable for you.   

          .

          Once an x-ray is taken, and is in the digital system, it can be viewed by anyone having access to that system, from anywhere.  A doctor can pull up images from home, or send them to another doctor for an opinion.  The possibilities are becoming endless what can be done with these systems.

          And again comparing film based operations to digital systems, now you no longer have the need to stay stocked up on supplies such as x-ray film, film jackets and chemicals.  There is no need to maintain a darkroom or storage for patient x-rays, saving you valuable space.  Don’t forget the mess and smell of processor chemicals.  Everyone would be happy not to have that around their clinic. 

          Film based operations will still be around for years to come, this is true.  But if you are considering your options on converting over to a digital system, keep these things in mind as you evaluate your situation.  Even low volume clinics can benefit from converting over to digital.  With the increases mentioned above, it is quite possible that the varying monthly expenses of maintaining a film based system may eventually off-set the cost of a fixed lease payment on a new digital system.

          We encourage you to research these options for yourself.  If you have any questions we may assist you with, please call us at 800-300-XRAY(9729), or visit us online at www.wcxray.com.  West Coast X-Ray, Inc. has been proudly serving veterinary professionals since 1988.

J. Greg Welsh
Vice President

See this article and more at www.animalinsides.com and www.ncasam.org.