Radiology technologists spend much of their work routine in an awkward posture and at the same time, are frequently required to move heavy weights. In order to reduce one-sided strain when lifting and repositioning, the University Institute of Radiology at the University Hospital of Salzburg (SALK), in Austria, purchased an X-ray solution that offers advantages for both employees and patients.

The Trauma DR Plus, a special digital X-ray solution for trauma and emergency rooms, has been in operation at the University Institute of Radiology at the University Hospital of Salzburg for almost a year. Prim (Priv-Doz) University Professor, Dr. Klaus Hergan, Head of the University Institute of Radiology at the University Hospital of Salzburg, and his team sum up the advantages: Patients can be maneuvered easily and quickly without having to be moved. A capability that is particularly important in critical trauma situations or cases of spinal injuries.

“The University Institute is equipped with all the modalities that are needed in the clinical environment. We have a particular focus on the areas of oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and traumatology,” said Prof. Hergan. “In traumatology, the specialist clinic is the first point of contact for the care of newly- or repeatedly injured patients for the entire region. In the orthotrauma area alone, around 54,000 patients are examined radiologically every year. This figure gives an indication of the range of additional tasks associated with the full department.”

A particular challenge for Prof. Hergan currently is a lack of young talent, although SALK and the associated Paracelsus Medical Private University offer an exemplary training concept.

“We have a rotation system so that all doctors in training can also get to know radiology,” explained Prof. Hergan.

With over 100 employees, including around 30 doctors, the Paracelsus Medical Private University also supplies training to other hospitals nearby Salzburg in Hallein, Tamsweg and St. Veit.

The Trauma DR Plus is particularly suitable for the X-ray examination of trauma patients: they remain safely and stably positioned, while the only movement is from the X-ray tube holder above the head and the detector underneath, or to the side in lateral projections.

Operation is via a touch button. The screen display on the tube head provides direct access to examination information and exposure controls. While the Trauma DR Plus is manually operated, it also has an electric motor that supports vertical movement.

“The image quality is excellent and the examinations are performed particularly quick,” said Prof. Hergan. He described the advantages in everyday clinical practice, but was also convinced of the service and training provided by Canon Medical, as well as the company philosophy behind development.

“No technology works without people. Our radiology technologists had been used to a different device for many years, so it was important to me that the changeover caused as little stress as possible, which is already high in everyday working life. The features of Trauma DR Plus were quick to learn and the support from Canon was impressive,” he said. “It makes diagnosis easier and reduces incorrect images, which is particularly helpful for trauma patients, but also for older patients who come in for a prosthetic check, for example.”

“We prepared the installation of the device very well internally and the schedule was well adhered to on both sides. This is important so that the daily routine can continue,” he emphasized.

Feedback from the team
Herbert Hirscher and Lukas Nedwed, are Radiology Technologists at SALK, we asked them about their experiences:

What do you find most important?
Herbert Hirscher: Flexibility is our top priority. Things are often crowded in the trauma room because many specialist disciplines and nursing staff are working on the injured patient at the same time. There is often little space and no time to move things around, but at the same time you need usable images quickly. We also work alone on night shifts, so the U-bracket system that we were used to worked very well, so we didn't want to do without it.

Lukas Nedwed: The quick and easy handling of the devices is very important to us, especially that you can quickly switch to a lateral view when patients are lying down. Rapid image acquisition is also required.

How is Trauma DR Plus suited to the trauma department?
Herbert Hirscher: It is the only system on the market equipped with a measuring chamber, because of this feature it achieves optimal image quality. It also has an electric motor that supports vertical movement.

How does the Trauma DR Plus work in clinical routine?
Lukas Nedwed: We have both been working with this type of system for many years and there is no need to relearn the basics. Nevertheless, in just a few weeks we managed to become used to all the new controls. It certainly helped that we were entirely involved in the selection of the new X-ray solution and also considered together how we would place it when setting it up.

Are there any changes in the workflow?
Herbert Hirscher: The up and down movements were previously automated and are now purely electronic. This makes the process a little slower. However, this is made up by the software for selecting the examination and image post-processing.

Lukas Nedwed: There are more detectors available, which makes the imaging easier, for example when it comes to the upper arms or the pelvis. Switching between detectors is very quick. The new software can quickly perform background tasks.

How was your experience with installation and training?
Herbert Hirscher: Thanks to the excellent training, we can use the acquisition software to make and save a lot of settings ourselves, so we rarely need technical support.

Lukas Nedwed: The schedule for installation was met exactly.