TECHNOLOGIES AND QUALITY STANDARD

It determines the bone mass, i.e. the amount of calcium and other minerals (phosphorus, fluoride, magnesium) that give the bone remarkable properties such as hardness, stiffness and resistance.

The current reference procedure is bone densithrometry with X-ray absorption technique(DEXA), considered the Gold Standard for the diagnosis and monitoring of osteopenes and osteoporosis.

The Villa Salus Hospital offers an advanced bone denmetric densite equipment designed by Hologic,among the leading companies inthe sector, and in this case the QDR Explorer model for poster/front, femur, forearm and body in its entirety (Total Body).

The QDR Explorer X-ray densitoter is dual-energy, with low incident dose the patient and with an automatic calibration and stabilization system.

While using modern FAN BEAM technology, it does not require any shielding of the premises.

The advantages of this Densitometer over radioscopic techniques are obvious:

• low doses of radiation ionizing accidents on the patient;
• reduction in exam time (on average, about ten minutes);
• better image quality in terms of resolution and accuracy;
• no specific preparation is required for the patient;
• the investigation is absolutely painless and non-invasive.

The patient, after removing each metal object, is made to sit on the cot in a supine position.

Beneath the mattress lies the source of X-ray emission, while above it is a rotating detector that flows over the patient’s body, acquiring the X-ray beams attenuated by the body district being investigated.

The examination can be performed on any patient (for patients of childbearing age can be performed only if pregnancy status can be excluded).

With B-mode and Doppler stellar imaging, the tool offers high-resolution images and advanced applications for easy visualization and characterization of fabrics.

The department’s endowment counts:

• a PowerEdge 2009 XEON Dual Core PACS server for storing images;
• two CR stations for digitizing analog mammography and radiological images;
• a server for scanning CT images;
• four “work stations” for online reporting, each equipped with two 2Mp BARCO monitors (3Mp for mammography reporting);
• each diagnostic room for technicians to manage lists.

In addition to the system:

• two Rimage 2000i dual-burner devices for printing CD media to be delivered to patients;
• DVD media for back-up of the activity.
  

The installed software allows:

• performance on-screen reporting, displaying reports and images on dedicated monitors;
• printing in DICOM format on a laser printer of the images;
• distribution of diagnostic images and reports electronically to inpatient departments;
• the distribution of diagnostic images on optical media (CD) to external patients as an alternative to traditional plates;
• full integration between the PACS and the RIS of the structure.

The initiation of computerised management of radiological images has led to a major reorganization of the business, with important results for the security of data processing.

In particular, the data (image and report) is available immediately in all the points enabled in the Hospital for all (and only) the sanitary, thus avoiding the physical transport of slabs and paper documents through the structure, and therefore, in perspective, also available to consult the health professionals outside the (consultants and GPs).

Examinations are possible on all body districts, total body and spinal wax.

It is a 32-layer computerized tomograph of the latest generation, expandable to 64 layers, which allows to perform examinations reducing the time in which the patient must stand still.

A system, therefore, that produces obvious benefits especially in the treatment of elderly patients or in critical clinical conditions, and is also the ideal solution for examinations on neonatal and pediatric patients.

Very fast in imaging and imaging procedures, AQUILION 32 was designed with the most modern and effective technology in controlling and reducing the dose of irradiation to the patient.

This technology also allows:

• a fine detail of the images with the possibility of definition of 0.5mm that makes it possible to identify very small injuries;
• to perform 3D reconstructions;
• perform functional assessments.

AQUILION 32 also allows the virtual endoscopic study of cavities and, in particular, is used to perform non-invasive colonoscopy.

In a short time and with the simple insufflation of air, the state of the intestinal mucosa can be evaluated, which, thanks to the 3D reconstruction of the entire colon can be evaluated as a whole.

It is therefore possible to pre-examine intestinal alterations that may be destined to become malignant.

AQUILION 32 is capable of acquiring 80 isotropic layers of 0.5 mm per second and is equipped with advanced software packages, also allows the study of the central, peripheral and coronary vascular apparatus.