PAPWORTH Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has become one of the first hospitals in the country to install an updated computed radiography system to ensure that high-quality imaging and the radiology department's efficiency are maintained as patient numbers increase. Carolyn Dyer, principal radiographer at the hospital, said: "In the last couple of years we have experienced a rapid expansion in the number of patients we see in the thoracic radiology service and to accommodate that increase and ensure continued high-quality imaging, we are pleased to have taken delivery of this upgraded system." The trust is now using an Agfa DX-G Digitiser and NX software in its thoracic X-ray room. Dyer said: "It may be small in size, but it really packs a punch in improving radiographic image quality and decreasing patient waiting times. The digitiser is able to scan an image in approximately 10-20 seconds, six times faster than previously possible. This also has the added potential of being able to reduce patient average X-ray dose while still maintaining image quality."
