X-ray has long been used by medical professionals to diagnose and examine an array of health conditions, and with the introduction of digital radiography, they now have more choices than ever for effective diagnosis.
Here are a few ways in which digital radiography differs from film radiography.
Radiation Exposure
Both digital and film radiography expose the patient to a certain amount of radiation during the imaging process. However, the dosage is far less in digital radiography. While traditional radiography is a safe procedure that takes the appropriate precautions, it uses significantly more radiation than digital imaging does.
Patients are often hesitant when opting for traditional x-rays, despite the lead aprons used to minimize any health risks. With innovations in imaging technology, however, this isn’t a concern any longer.
Individuals who are particularly cautious about the amount of radiation exposure they receive due to specific risk factors or an existing medical condition benefit greatly from digital radiography.
Storage Space
Since the equipment used in digital radiography doesn’t require a film, the storage of x-ray images is computerized. This drastically saves on the storage space needed for keeping files safe and secure.
Fragile film x-rays require hard copies of the images to be stored in an optimum environment to protect them from harm’s way. There’s a greater risk of these files getting accidentally damaged along the way or the image degrading over time. Creating backup copies requires even more physical space, and is an expensive process in itself.
With digital radiography, storage is no longer an issue. Since the images are created digitally, they can be easily stored on a computer. You have almost unlimited space at your disposal, since the images can be transferred to a hard drive as well, leaving you with plenty of room for storing new x-rays as well as backups.
Accessibility
Need to forward x-ray results to a specialist? Digital radiography makes it a whole lot easier.
Unlike the lengthy and expensive ordeal of ordering duplicate copies and waiting for them to be delivered, you can simply share the digital image via a PACS. You don’t have to worry about physically transporting them or having to take care that they aren’t damaged en route. Not only does this improve accessibility, but it also speeds up the patient’s ongoing treatment process.
Image Quality
Image quality is of utmost importance when it comes to x-rays. While traditional film x-rays are more than adequate for obtaining high-quality images, digital radiography greatly enhances image quality.
Digital imaging allows you to control the color and texture of the image created. This makes for greater visibility, giving you clearer insight. Otherwise hard-to-see issues in the image can be enlarged or re-sized to get a better visual without distorting the image quality.
ExamVue provides medical facilities with digital imaging solutions, using high-quality digital x-ray equipment. Our products include a range of flat panel detectors for digital radiography.
Call us at (516) 654-6955 to learn more about our services.
