Purchasing a digital x-ray system can feel overwhelming at times with so many different options and configurations available. It can be hard to sift through the choices to find which system is best for your facility. It is essential to ask the right questions in order to find the digital x-ray system that best meets your needs. To help you choose the x-ray system that’s right for you, we've compiled a list of questions that will be helpful when purchasing a digital x-ray system.
What kind of facility will the x-ray system be in?
One of the first things that need to be considered is the type of facility the x-ray system will be used in. Is it a chiropractic clinic? Is it an urgent care facility or a high-volume imaging center? Is it a large hospital or a veterinary clinic? The type of facility is going to determine what type of x-ray system should be purchased.
For example, if it is a chiropractic facility, you're going to need a wall stand and you're probably not going to need an x-ray table. On the other hand, if it is a high-volume imaging center, you may want extra features within your x-ray system like a table, a wall stand, and a possible dual detector system.
What’s my patient volume?
The next thing you want to ask is what's your volume? How many patients are you anticipating seeing and how many x-rays are you looking to take on a daily basis? That's going to contribute to determining what type of digital x-ray system is going to best suit you.
What space do I have available?
Another consideration is spatial requirements which are a necessity to understand what system is going to fit within the allocated space. You need to know the length, width, and height of the room, as well as understand where the walls, windows, and doors are situated.
For example, some systems are wall-mounted, however, if you have a room full of windows you might need to invest in a floor-mounted system. In areas that have less space, a straight arm x-ray system might be a better solution.
Do I need a table?
If you choose to use a table for your workflow or clinic you’ll need to determine which table option is best for you. A stationary table can have a reflow table top, which allows the table top to flow from left to right. There’s also an elevating table which allows the table to drop down to where someone in a wheelchair could easily access it.
Do I need a stationary or mobile x-ray system?
Another thing to consider when asking questions about purchasing a new x-ray system is to consider mobile versus stationary x-ray systems. A traditional x-ray room is designated for x-rays and is usually stationary, meaning the patient has to go to the x-ray room to be x-rayed. There are also other requirements for stationary x-ray rooms, like lead lining the room and creating an operator area so you can safely take x-rays.
The alternative option is a mobile x-ray system. Mobile x-ray systems are for clinics that may have multiple different rooms or special requirements that make it very difficult to install a stationary system. For example, a clinic that has multiple rooms where they want to bring the x-ray into each room and to x-ray the patient. This mobile environment is helpful in a lot of areas where they don't necessarily have a room large enough, or the workflow requires them to move from one place to the other.
What type of DR panel do I need?
The next thing to consider is going to be what type of DR panel you need. DR panels are the piece of equipment that makes the x-ray system digital. It captures the image and then sends that image to the computer.
Chiropractic clinics typically will go with a 17x17 tethered DR panel. This is because the DR panel is usually fixed into the wall stand and doesn't need to be moved from the wall stand to a table. In urgent care on the other hand you're more likely to see a 17x17 wireless panel that will fit in both the wall stand as well as the table and can be moved back and forth.
In some very high-volume clinics, you may use a dual detector system. That is where a 17x17 DR panel is placed within the wall stand as well as in the table so that you don't have to move it.
In conclusion
Finding the right digital x-ray system can be difficult however these questions should help you refine your search for the right digital x-ray system. If you want help choosing the right digital x-ray system for you, contact our team today! Our team of experts can assist you in determining what kind of x-ray system will work best for your facility and budget.
