Imaging Excellence: Radiographers’ Experiences with Siemens Healthineers

Proactive Fluoro Loop

Real-World Scenario: Gastrointestinal Procedure

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a busy hospital, a gastrointestinal procedure is underway for an adult patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Technology and Experience: Imagine missing a critical moment during a scan. Instead of needing a rescan, which would expose both the patient and the radiographer to additional radiation, Siemens’ Proactive Fluoro Loop automatically captures the missed sequence. This feature saves valuable time and prevents unnecessary exposure. The Proactive Fluoro Loop continuously records a loop of the last few seconds of the procedure, allowing you to review and capture important moments without any extra scans. This technology enhances workflow efficiency and patient safety simultaneously.

Real-World Scenario: Pediatric Speech Pathology Study

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: At a pediatric clinic, a fluoroscopy exam is being performed on a young child with suspected swallowing difficulties.
• Technology and Experience: Positioning pediatric patients can be challenging due to their size and movement. Using Siemens' CARE Positioning, the radiographer adjusts the patient without activating the X-ray, thereby eliminating radiation exposure during positioning. This feature significantly reduces the overall radiation dose, enhancing safety, especially for young patients. CARE Positioning uses digital technology to align the patient correctly, ensuring optimal positioning before any radiation is emitted, crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency in pediatric imaging.

Real-World Scenario: Joint Injection Procedure

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: During a joint injection procedure in a large hospital, an elderly patient with arthritis is undergoing fluoroscopy.
• Technology and Experience: Standing close to the radiation source for extended periods increases the radiographer's exposure to scatter radiation. Siemens’ remote-controlled system allows the radiographer or physician to operate the equipment from a distance, significantly reducing radiation exposure. The system’s advanced ergonomics, combined with remote functionality, ensures a safer working environment. The remote-control capability is integrated seamlessly into the system, allowing for precise adjustments and control without direct proximity to the radiation source.

Real-World Scenario: Barium Swallow Study

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a specialized gastrointestinal clinic, a radiographer performs a fluoroscopy study on an adult patient with suspected esophageal motility disorder.
• Technology and Experience: Achieving high-quality images at lower doses is critical. Siemens’ flat panel detector technology excels in providing superior image quality with reduced radiation exposure. The detectors use advanced scintillator materials and innovative readout electronics that enhance image resolution while minimizing dose. This ensures clearer diagnostics and enhances both patient and operator safety. The flat panel detector’s unique design reduces noise and improves contrast, setting it apart from conventional detectors.

Real-World Scenario: Upper GI Study

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: During an upper GI study at a gastroenterology clinic, a middle-aged patient with chronic reflux symptoms is undergoing fluoroscopy.
• Technology and Experience: Repositioning the patient multiple times can be time-consuming and increase radiation exposure. With Siemens' dynamic flat panel technology, the radiographer covers the entire esophagus in a single scan, reducing the need for repositioning. This technology offers a wider patient coverage area, saving approximately 15 minutes per procedure and minimizing cumulative radiation exposure. The dynamic flat panel’s ability to capture large anatomical areas in one shot is a significant advancement in reducing procedure time and radiation dose.

Real-World Scenario: Routine Fluoroscopy Procedures

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a general hospital, routine fluoroscopy is performed on a variety of patients, including adults and elderly individuals, for diagnostic purposes.
• Technology and Experience: Siemens’ integrated dose reduction technologies automatically adjust the settings to the lowest necessary radiation dose, ensuring compliance with safety standards. This consistent dose management enhances long-term health for radiographers by minimizing exposure. The technology uses real-time feedback and advanced algorithms to optimize the radiation dose based on patient size and procedural requirements, ensuring both safety and image quality are maintained.

Real-World Scenario: Long Procedures

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a busy radiology department of a large hospital, radiographers frequently perform long fluoroscopy procedures on diverse patient groups, including adults and geriatrics.
• Technology and Experience: Physical demands can lead to fatigue and discomfort. The enhanced ergonomic design reduces physical strain by promoting better posture and easier handling of equipment. Features like adjustable control panels, easily accessible controls, and flexible monitor arms help radiographers maintain comfort and efficiency during lengthy procedures. This thoughtful design minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal issues, allowing radiographers to perform their duties more effectively and with less discomfort.

Real-World Scenario: Training New Staff

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a teaching hospital, new staff must quickly learn to operate complex imaging systems, including fluoroscopy, on a variety of patients.
• Technology and Experience: Our user-friendly interface simplifies operation, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and the time needed for training. New radiographers can quickly learn to operate the system due to its intuitive design, leading to smoother workflow and higher throughput. The interface is designed with straightforward, logical menus and touch-screen functionality, which makes it accessible even to those with minimal experience.

Real-World Scenario: Bariatric Patient Imaging

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: A large hospital uses Siemens' high table load capacity to perform fluoroscopy on bariatric patients, ensuring safety and high image quality.
• Technology and Experience: This feature accommodates higher weights without compromising safety or image quality, ensuring seamless imaging for a broader range of patients. The robust table design ensures stability and precision during imaging, making it suitable for patients of varying sizes. This capability broadens the range of patients that can be efficiently serviced, enhancing the hospital's ability to provide comprehensive care.

Real-World Scenario: Elderly Patient with Limited Mobility

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a community clinic, a radiographer adjusts the table height and tilt for an elderly patient with limited mobility undergoing a fluoroscopy exam.
• Technology and Experience: Siemens’ adjustable features facilitate easier patient transfers and positioning, improving comfort for both patients and radiographers. These adjustments ensure optimal imaging conditions, reducing patient discomfort and enhancing image quality. The ease of making these adjustments means less physical strain for the radiographer and a more comfortable experience for the patient.

Real-World Scenario: Dynamic Study

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: During a dynamic study at a regional hospital, a radiographer operates fluoroscopy on a middle-aged patient with joint issues.
• Technology and Experience: Operating the system hands-free can prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. The SmartStepOn wireless footswitch provides more freedom for system operation, enhancing safety and efficiency. This feature allows the radiographer to multitask more effectively and avoid unnecessary exposure during procedures. The footswitch’s wireless design means it can be positioned wherever it’s most convenient, reducing the need for reaching and adjusting controls manually.

Real-World Scenario: Long-Leg and Full-Spine Exams

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In an orthopedic clinic, automated image acquisition and composition are used for a long-leg and full-spine exam on an adolescent with scoliosis.
• Technology and Experience: SmartOrtho streamlines these procedures, reducing the time and effort needed for each scan. This technology saves approximately 20 minutes per procedure and ensures comprehensive imaging with minimal effort. SmartOrtho automates the stitching process, ensuring seamless images without manual intervention, enhancing both efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

Real-World Scenario: Emergency Procedure

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a busy emergency department at a large hospital, a radiographer quickly positions the fluoroscopy system for an emergency procedure on a trauma patient.
• Technology and Experience: Quick positioning of the system is crucial during emergency procedures. SmartMove allows the radiographer to automatically move the equipment to the desired position at the press of a button, reducing setup time and ensuring consistent imaging. This feature enhances efficiency and accuracy in urgent situations, allowing radiographers to focus on patient care. The precision and speed of SmartMove make it an invaluable tool in time-sensitive scenarios.

Real-World Scenario: Integrating Ultrasound Images

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: During a complex procedure at a multidisciplinary clinic, a radiographer integrates ultrasound images into a fluoroscopy exam for an adult patient with abdominal pain.
• Technology and Experience: Integrating and viewing ultrasound images can enhance diagnostic capabilities without additional radiation exposure. SmartView provides fast and convenient display and storage of imaging content from other modalities. This integration facilitates comprehensive patient assessments, improving overall diagnostic accuracy. SmartView’s seamless interface allows radiographers to access and compare images quickly, aiding in more informed clinical decisions.

Real-World Scenario: ERCP Procedure

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a gastroenterology clinic, a radiographer adjusts monitors for optimal viewing angles during a complex ERCP procedure on an adult patient with biliary obstruction.
• Technology and Experience: SmartDisplay allows radiographers to position monitors flexibly, enhancing workflow efficiency and comfort. This feature ensures that all necessary imaging is available without delay, improving procedural outcomes. The SmartDisplay’s versatility in positioning reduces strain and enhances visibility, making it easier to monitor and assess images during intricate procedures.

Real-World Scenario: Pediatric Fluoroscopy Exam

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: At a pediatric hospital, a radiographer performs a fluoroscopy exam on a child with suspected gastrointestinal issues.
• Technology and Experience: Achieving high-contrast images at a lower radiation dose is particularly important. DiamondView MAX ensures exceptionally sharp images with reduced radiation, enhancing diagnostic confidence and patient safety. This technology uses advanced image processing algorithms to enhance contrast and clarity without increasing dose. DiamondView MAX’s ability to provide high-quality images at low doses is crucial for maintaining safety in sensitive populations like children.

Real-World Scenario: Protecting Patient Data

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a large healthcare network, radiographers ensure the protection of patient data during imaging procedures for a wide range of patients.
• Technology and Experience: Our advanced cybersecurity measures protect patient data, ensuring compliance with strict security standards. This feature provides peace of mind to radiographers and healthcare institutions, knowing that patient information is secure. Siemens’ robust cybersecurity protocols safeguard against breaches, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of patient data.

Real-World Scenario: Series of Exams

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: In a multi-specialty clinic, a radiographer performs a series of fluoroscopy exams on patients of varying ages and conditions.
• Technology and Experience: Streamlining workflows and minimizing radiation exposure are key benefits of the Enhanced CARE Package. This package allows radiographers to focus more on patient care and reduce procedure times. By integrating multiple dose reduction and workflow optimization features, the Enhanced CARE Package enhances overall efficiency and safety. The comprehensive support and continuous updates provided ensure that radiographers can perform at their best.

Real-World Scenario: Follow-Up Scan

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: During a quick follow-up scan at a general clinic, a radiographer performs a fluoroscopy exam on an adult patient with chronic joint pain.
• Technology and Experience: Capturing immediate low-dose images is essential. Siemens’ Snapshot Mode enables this, saving time and reducing radiation exposure. This feature is particularly useful for quick assessments and follow-ups, where minimal exposure and rapid results are required. Snapshot Mode’s ability to capture high-quality images swiftly ensures that patient and operator safety is prioritized, while maintaining exceptional diagnostic image quality.

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: Throughout the day at a busy hospital, radiographers perform various fluoroscopy procedures on patients of all ages and conditions.
• Technology and Experience: Automatic dose regulation ensures optimal image quality with minimal exposure. Histogram Dose Regulation adjusts the dose dynamically based on real-time feedback of the entire collimated area, maintaining consistent image quality. This technology reduces overall radiation exposure for both patients and staff, enhancing safety. The precision and adaptability of this dose regulation technology set Siemens apart in maintaining high standards of radiographic safety.

Real-World Scenario: Examining Fine Details

• Place, Procedure, and Patient Type: At a specialized imaging center, a radiographer examines fine details during a fluoroscopy exam on an adult patient with suspected small bowel obstruction.
• Technology and Experience: Magnifying clinical images without additional radiation exposure is crucial for detailed examinations. Digital Zoom provides dose-free zooming-in, enhancing diagnostic capabilities without increasing radiation dose. This feature allows radiographers to examine finer details in fluoroscopy images, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. The high-resolution zoom capability ensures that even the smallest details are visible without compromising safety.

High-quality imaging is a cornerstone of accurate diagnostics in radiology. Siemens Healthineers’ innovative fluoroscopy technologies provide radiographers with the tools they need to achieve superior image quality while minimizing radiation exposure. These advancements enhance both patient care and workflow efficiency, ensuring that radiographers can deliver the best possible outcomes.