The Royal Derby Hospital’s fluoroscopy department has seen the installation of an ultra-modern interventional suite.
As part of a 10-year Althea managed service contract, which started in April 2015, the hospital’s 11-year old Philips FD20 hwas recently upgraded to a new, state-of-the-art Philips Allura Xper FD20 with Clarity, giving the main X-ray area a transformed interventional system which includes the latest in clinical functionality.
In the last year, 18 new systems have been delivered and installed to the hospital as part of Althea’s managed service asset replacement programme.
The X-ray room first needed to be reconfigured ahead of the new equipment’s installation to make the room fit for use and remove previous functions that were only necessary for the old system which was installed in 2006.
Power cabinets were also moved to the outside of the room, creating additional workspace for the users and more space for patients.
The Allura Clarity concept is an entirely-new imaging chain, with changes from the way the tube is programmed to detector responses and display methods. In addition to clinically-proven dose savings of up to 83%, with no associated image degradation, Allura Clarity systems produce far-sharper images first time round. This allows the trust to be at the forefront of X-ray technology.
Rob Whiteman, cardiac superintendent radiographer at the trust, said: “Althea supported our team through the selection, procurement and design processes for a new interventional radiology suite that replaced our ageing equipment.
“Following a thorough evaluation process, we selected a Philips Allura Xper FD20 with Clarity. We felt this system ideally suited our service needs, in terms of specification, ease of use and staff training.
“The system also offers exceptional imaging quality with dramatically-reduced X-ray doses, which optimises procedural benefit and quality of care to our patients and staff.”
During the installation of the new equipment, Althea and Philips supported any potential lost capacity with a Philips Pulsera Image Intensifier to reduce the impact of losing a valuable Interventional room. This enabled a smooth transition throughout and the hospital was able to maintain its acute service, while minimising impact to patients and patient flow.
Since installation, the hospital has undertaken many more complex angiographic, embolisation, EVAR and FEVAR procedures, primarily because of the lower X-ray doses and superior image quality compared to the previous and existing interventional rooms.
Andy Jones, Althea’s head of implementation and technology, said: “Althea’s replacement plan included, not only the replacement and installation of a new Philips Allura FD20 Clarity Interventional room, but the creation of a new equipment room in the recovery area, providing more space for the users in the examination room.
“The project also included a new, modern working area within the examination room giving even more space around the table during operation procedures.”