Pacific Radiology + EIZO

With nearly 50 branches throughout New Zealand and Australia, Pacific Radiology provides world-class medical imaging services using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest radiology techniques. 

“To provide the best imaging services, we continue to invest in upgrading the infrastructure and related technologies such as Computer Aided Diagnosis”, says Robert Wood, Computed Tomography Technologist at Pacific Radiology.

Being an industry leader not only means providing the best services, but also setting the standards for industry best practice. While some service providers remained complacent, Pacific Radiology played a pivotal role by embracing RANZCR’s (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists) 'Standards of Practice for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology'.

Impact of off-the-shelf monitors on primary radiologic reporting

Many non-diagnostic monitors, while making great claims, fail to comply with the RANZCR Standards.

“Our specialists have found off-the-shelf monitors to be unreliable, requiring repeated calibrations and inconsistencies across the screen”, said Robert.

“When applied to clinical environments, they have been found to fail on almost every guideline set forth in the RANZCR Standards”, he further emphasized.

When using off-the-shelf non-diagnostic monitors, specialists found that they didn't have reliable imaging chains, and there were inconsistencies when images were viewed from various Practices across the region. The monitors also tend to cost a lot in the long run. With poor after-sales support, when the monitors start causing problems, they must be replaced with new ones. The long-term cost of ownership, therefore, skyrockets.

The importance of RANZCR’s ‘Standards of Practice for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology’

Adherence to RANZCR’s stringent standards provides a high level of assurance to the team at Pacific Radiology in the quality of diagnostics. As RANZCR’s standards reflect international guidelines, Pacific Radiology is in a unique position to offer the best possible services to patients.

Diagnostic monitors that adhere to RANZCR’s Standards save lives

“Non-compliance with the RANZCR Standards always increases the chances of a misdiagnosis.”

Using equipment that does not adhere with the RANZCR Standards increases the risk of a misdiagnosis.  A misdiagnosis can have serious adverse effects on the patient, specialist and practice. Off-the-shelf monitors that do not comply with the Standards do not accurately represent what is happening. This is a critical breakdown in the imaging chain.

Misdiagnosis, for a patient, is profound. It can have a drastic impact on the patient’s treatments and recovery time. This would lead to adverse effects for the specialists as well as the Practice.

In Pacific Radiology’s quest to be the best, it depends on diagnostic monitors that comply with the RANZCR Standards.

Enter EIZO

Pacific Radiology invited EIZO to be a part of its specialists’ workflows in 2009. Since then, almost 100 EIZO medical imaging monitors have been deployed, including the largest fleet of RadiForce RX850 8MP units in New Zealand.

RadiForce RX850 8MP monitor

“We use the RadiForce RX850 in high workload areas like multi-modality diagnostics and mammography. The monitor’s reliability has been proven, from the simplest ultrasound readings to complex mammography imaging, thus the preferred monitor by our team of radiologists.” 

The RadiForce RX850 is known for its:

• Precision Accuracy,
• Longevity,
• Reliability,
• Auto-calibration, and
• Industry-redefining guarantee.

Centrally controlled nationwide QA

• RadiNET Pro Network QC Management Software - Facilitates QC management of all EIZO monitors, across the national network from one centralised location.
• “RadicCS is our preferred DICOM calibration and client QC management tool. Whether we are calibrating a 5MP mammography monitor or an RX850, the software functions seamlessly -and it’s so easy to use”, said Robert.  This has also paved the way for Pacific Radiology to train new staff members with ease across devices and geographic locations.
• Support service - “A radiologist’s work demands maximum concentration without disruption. EIZO’s national support helps us provide uninterrupted patient services."

In conclusion