Computed Radiography (CR) is a way to scan your patients with your current analog X-ray system and also get all the benefits of having the image in a digital format.
 

If I had a nickel for every time I answered the question, "What is Computed Radiography (CR)?"... I’d probably have $4.60!
 

So if you are asking that same question, "Josh, what is CR exactly?" the following video was made just for you. It is a quick and simple explanation for those of us who’ve heard the handful of acronyms in radiography (CR, DR, X-ray, R/F, PACS) but never really had a grasp of what each piece of equipment does. Check it out...

Boy how the world of medical imaging equipment has changed over the last 10 years!  In 2002, reimbursements were high, free standing imaging centers were booming and the margin generated within hospital radiology departments was second to none. The thought back then was... Refurbished equipment, really? 

Every day people ask me, “How much should I budget for a CT Scanner?” and that is just too broad of a question. It is a little like asking how much a car costs. A Ford Pinto isn’t going to cost you much... you may be able to just pull it for free off my neighbor’s front lawn… but that Maserati is going to be a touch more expensive.

Growing global connections is exciting... Trade barriers are falling and the world is your marketplace. Though fascinating language and cultural differences will always be there (we hope), universal shipping terms let us all clearly know who is responsible to do what. 

I'm going to let you in on a secret most imaging parts companies won't tell you... Your OEC C-Arm laser aimer probably isn't broken!

Once or twice a week I get a call from a hospital administrator whose board of directors or development group has recently purchased an outpatient imaging center. This administrator is very good at his or her job, but they are almost always out of their element when it comes to dealing with this new wrinkle now under their purview. What should they do with the newly acquired equipment and imaging center? 

Okay, here’s the scenario... your CT scanner schedule is booked solid today for patient scans and as if in slow motion, you see your tech walking toward you with a look of panic on their face. Your heart starts pumping faster and you can hear the thud in your ears as you plead over and over in your head, “No, no, no, not today. Don’t let the CT be down… don’t let the CT be down!”

Underpowered, underutilized, and sometimes misunderstood – Open MRI systems are often under-appreciated here in the USA and ignored in other “developed” countries. 

Have you found yourself asking “How much is my MRI machine worth?” lately?

It should come as no surprise that your imaging equipment, just like a vehicle, requires regular maintenance to keep running.  With a car, your transmission needs to be flushed, oil changed, filters cleaned, and windshield wiper fluid topped off. But sometimes, when we pick our vehicles up from a garage, and nearly every time when we see the mechanic’s bill, we begin to wonder exactly what was done to our cars. It is no different with medical imaging equipment.

Over the last decade, Interventional Radiology (IR) has had a dramatic change in the world of surgery and cardiology.  Siemens, Toshiba, Philips and GE have all made major investments in developing flat panel, digital solutions. 

If you are looking to sell your used CT scanner and cringe when asked about slice counts and software options… life just got better!

Without a doubt, Bone Densitometers (Bone Densitometry, BMD or Dexa) are the most underutilized imaging modality today.  Did you know that the incidence of osteoporotic fracture in women is greater than that of breast cancer, stroke and heart attack combined? 

Before Trading-in your CT scanner out of habit… find out what it’s REALLY worth!

So it’s Time to Upgrade Your Equipment

With RSNA just around the corner, you can be sure that all major OEM’s (GE, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba, etc.) are putting the final touches on their latest and greatest new CT’s they hope will entice you to upgrade now! Before you Trade-in, just because you have always traded-in, take a tiny bit of extra time to learn just how much your current system is really worth.   I can absolutely promise you this; if you trade you will NEVER really know!

With Block Imaging Parts & Service’s yearly ISO audit right around the corner, I am reminded of the value it brings to our company and our customers.  It is an investment of hard work and capital to maintain and to be continually improving in all areas, but definitely the kind of investment we are eager to make.

When we are offered used CT scanners from countries outside the USA, we always ask "Do you have pictures of the tags that include the FDA’s 21 CFR language?” Many times, our client or supplier is unfamiliar with this terminology and asks us many clarifying questions. So we thought it would be wise to explain in greater detail via a blog post! So here goes…