News | Press Releases


December 3, 2009

TOSHIBA X-RAY SYSTEMS IMPROVE WORKFLOW IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS

Rapid Acquisition Times, Increased Flexibility and Improved Ergonomics Allow Emergency Departments to Diagnose Patients Quickly

CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2009 – Today’s emergency departments are challenged to provide rapid, accurate diagnosis for a variety of patient conditions when time is of the essence.

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.’s RADREXTM-i digital radiographic system and KalareTM R&F system are designed to provide the features emergency departments require to offer the highest level of patient care. Toshiba will feature the RADREX-i Mixed Detector Digital Radiography (DR) system at this year’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, held in Chicago, Nov. 29 – Dec. 4 (Booth #5629, South Hall).

“When treating emergency patients, acting quickly is critical,” said Steve Sivak, radiology manager, St. Luke Community Hospital, a facility using the RADREX-i and Kalare systems to improve workflow in its emergency department. “The advanced features of the RADREX-i and Kalare help us streamline workflow and accelerate throughput, providing a tremendous benefit to patients when time is limited.”

RADREX-i System

The comprehensive RADREX-i features a 600-pound table weight limit, a 600 kHU X-ray tube and an 80-kW generator, allowing hospitals to image a variety of patients, including bariatric. The X-ray system enhances workflow with the RexView, a color LCD screen located on the overhead tube crane (OTC). Since the image appears on the OTC, technologists have immediate access to review the image and determine if they have what is needed for diagnosis, ultimately reducing exam time and increasing the chance of a positive patient outcome.

The RADREX-i’s automated features also save time in emergency settings by automating exam selection and X-ray positioning. These features include:

  • Auto-tracking to eliminate the need to manually position the X-ray tube detector by providing synchronization for table and wall-stand tracking
  • Auto-collimation to save crucial time for the patient and technologist by automatically selecting the correct collimation size for the patient’s body part
  • Auto-program to eliminate the need for the technologist to manually select the program on the generator by automatically selecting the correct program
  • Auto-center stop to provide visual guidance for fast, simple detector centering

Kalare R&F System

The Kalare R&F is ideal for emergency settings, as it improves staff productivity and enhances patient care. It combines a superior user interface and duplicates the color LCD touch screen generator on the Spot Film device, allowing point-of-care changes to the X-ray settings and programs.

The Kalare also increases staff productivity by allowing technologists to perform multiple exams per day with little fatigue. Exams that would previously require two technologists can be performed by one, allowing for increased attention on the patient in an emergency situation.

“The RADREX-i and Kalare systems offer facilities the flexibility, speed and diagnostic accuracy required in emergency departments,” said Robert Micer, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba. “Emergency departments never know what they will face on a given day, and the RADREX-i and Kalare allow them to provide the highest level of patient care, quickly and efficiently, regardless of the situation.”

About Toshiba

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI and information systems. Toshiba corporation is a worldwide leader and in technology, electronic and electrical products, digital consumer products, electronic devices and components, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875 and today operates a global network of more than 740 companies with 199,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $73 billion. For more information, visit Toshiba’s web site at www.medical.toshiba.com.

RADREX and Kalare are trademarks of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.