July 5, 2013 | In recent years, the Department of Radiology at Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, has made the transition to digital radiography (DR). In October 2012, it acquired its third Ysio system. Technicians and doctors alike are extremely satisfied.
Text: Philipp Grätzel von Grätz
Photos: Ezequiel Scagnetti
Digital radiography (DR) systems – such as Ysio® from Siemens – offer multiple advantages over conventional analog radiography systems as well as computed radiography (CR) systems. They help to increase efficiency and throughput and improve workflows.
Usability is also important: According to Bert Huijbens, Unit Manager for Conventional Radiology at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, it was primarily the high acceptance among technicians that led Erasmus Medical Center to order its third Ysio system recently: “Examination times are short. Dealing with the equipment is easy. And, furthermore, the system is user-friendly as well.”
“Very comfortable to use”
Erasmus Medical Center has recently acquired its third Ysio system. How does the Department of Radiology benefit from direct radiography?
Huijbens: With DR systems, examinations in conventional radiology take a matter of minutes. We as technicians can check the image quality on the preview images right away. The number of examinations per room can be increased. And doctors love it, too. Image quality is better: On chest X-rays, for example, they can see far more details.
How has the introduction of the Ysio system changed the working routines of technicians in the radiology room?
Huijbens: The Ysio system is highly usable. The tube can be positioned automatically with the help of a wireless remote control. There is a big touch-screen that allows you to check, for example patient’s name or date of birth, directly at the tube. It is even possible to change the order of the examination without having to go back to the workstation. We have considerably fewer colleagues with shoulder problems these days…
How easy or difficult is it for users to work with Ysio?
Huijbens: In general, direct radiography requires knowledge of the parameters that affect image quality. This is something we have to teach our users. From the perspective of a user, working with the Ysio system is comfortable. There are hundreds of high-quality standard protocols. And on the rare occasions when protocols need to be adapted, it is a straightforward matter. Ysio is really user-friendly.
