Swelling patient volumes, staffing challenges, and burnout continue to plague the healthcare ecosystem as clinicians seek to provide high-quality care. In addition to an increase in chronic disease, the increasing elderly population and their associated health concerns are expected to increase the demand for medical imaging services.[1] As one of the initial diagnostic tools, X-ray imaging constitutes approximately 60 percent of all imaging studies.[2] Its role in the evolving healthcare environment and patient diagnostics is crucial and will remain pivotal, showcasing its enduring importance across the healthcare spectrum.
The evolution of X-ray technology
Over the span of more than a century, X-ray technology, medical imaging’s “workhorse,” has evolved significantly, witnessing transformative innovations such as the introduction of mobile X-ray systems, digital enhancements, glassless detector technology, refined image processing, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Industry leaders continue to bring innovation to X-ray technology, and GE HealthCare’s exemplified commitment to advancing technology helps propel them to the forefront of creating a world, where healthcare has no limits. Their focus extends beyond replacing existing X-ray systems with new technology; they are designing solutions to extend the life of existing installed systems and building new systems with built-in future upgradability.
“We’re dedicated to continuing to transform the landscape of X-ray technology with system innovations that not only bolster existing setups with the latest capabilities but also lay the foundation for upgradable systems that can meet the demands of the present and the challenges of the future,” said Laura Hernandez, Chief Marketing Officer of Women’s Health and X-ray. “Our focus is on developing game-changing solutions to enable effortless imaging in X-ray, such as AMX™ Navigate, that uphold clinical excellence and address workflow, usability, and ergonomics while also dismantling financial barriers with scalability. We’re supporting our customers’ needs for reliability and sustainability, ensuring that the systems we provide today can be seamlessly upgraded over time, aligning with growing demand.”
Addressing X-ray technology obsolescence with scalability
In an era where technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the needs of healthcare providers are accelerating even faster. Amidst this rapid innovation, industry partners are empowering healthcare providers to avoid technology obsolescence and offering them the ability to upgrade their existing mobile X-ray imaging technology efficiently and cost-effectively. This not only accelerates the integration of advances in imaging technology into the clinical setting but can also help lower costs to the healthcare provider. GE HealthCare’s decision to make AMX Navigate an upgradable platform in mobile X-ray stands as a testament to this commitment.
Legacy AMX systems can now be seamlessly upgraded to an AMX Navigate fixed-column configuration, bringing workflow efficiency improvements, a modern user interface, and enhanced software functionalities to the forefront. As a state-of-the-art example of mobile digital X-ray technology, it not only showcases rugged reliability and enables effortless imaging, but also addresses frontline challenges in patient care, particularly in cases of emergency and intensive medical care.
Redesigning mobile X-ray for improved usability and efficiency
Mobile X-ray systems provide flexibility and are an important resource that can easily reach patients across the healthcare system, such as in in-patient areas, operating rooms, or intensive care units. However, traditionally, legacy X-ray systems can create stress and strain for the technologist who operates the system, positions the detectors for imaging, and positions the patient for each image. Recent innovations in mobile X-ray focus not only on advancing imaging technology but also on improving the ergonomics of these imaging systems to reduce the stress and strain on technologists and radiologists.
Current mobile X-ray systems include a motor-assisted telescoping column to address the stress and strain technologists experience in constantly moving the system’s tube head and detectors. Automated processing of images also frees up more time for technologists to spend with patients. These types of thoughtful efficiencies have been included at the system design level to facilitate its ease of use by the radiology staff. As the industry continues to innovate imaging technology in the face of rising work-related burden, the need for user-experience-focused innovation becomes a very necessary component of medical imaging equipment design.
Optimizing mobile X-ray with AI tools
The development and adoption of AI tools in radiology is growing rapidly. Embedding AI tools in imaging systems like mobile X-ray further helps to automate some of the technologist’s manual tasks and helps provide reading radiologists with new clinical decision support resources. To address staffing challenges, onboard AI tools can facilitate improved operational and reading workflows, supporting a more efficient clinical workflow and consistent imaging, irrespective of the operator’s experience level. AI tools can also help prioritize critical cases by detecting subtle or complex patterns within X-ray images, moving critical cases to the top of the reading list. Using these AI tools can impact improvements across the board in efficiency, quality, and clinical accuracy.
Innovating mobile X-ray to create a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem
As the global healthcare landscape continues to grapple with escalating demands, a collective commitment to driving change, innovating technology and improving efficiencies becomes paramount. GE HealthCare's commitment to advancing mobile X-ray technology with flexible and upgradable systems supports X-ray imaging’s continued strength as the backbone of diagnostic medical imaging technology worldwide, and its resiliency to face the challenges of the future.
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DISCLAIMER
Not all products or features are available in all geographies. Check with your local GE HealthCare representative for availability in your country.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/diagnostic-imaging-market-411.html
[2] IMV 2019 X-ray CR / DR Market Outlook Report) page 9, 37
