Digital X-Rays

What is a Digital X-ray and how are they produced?

X-ray is invisible electromagnetic energy beams and computers to produce images of bones, internal tissue and organs on film. X-rays are performed for many reasons, including diagnosing fractures. When an x-ray is taken the beams pass through soft tissues to the bones.

1. The patient is carefully positioned for the x-rays. This could be sitting, standing or lying on the x-ray table. We carefully position the patients correct body part in line with the collimator and the film.
2. A lead apron is placed to over the patient to protect them from getting a exposure to their reproductive organs.
3. The x-ray beam is then focused on the area to be x-rayed.
4. The patient must try to hold completely still to produce the x-ray, any movement will cause the x-ray to become blurred.
5. The cassette is placed in the developer and is reviewed by the x-ray tech to make sure they have everything that is needed on the x-ray.
6. The x-rays are then pushed out to the view station where the provider can view them.
7. The x-rays are interpreted by our providers who report on them to the patient.

What is the difference between the Digital X-ray and the old way of developing x-rays?

• With Digital x-ray the developer does all the processing, unloads and reloads the cassettes for you. With the old x-rays you had to unload the cassette and process them with chemicals and then reload them which takes a lot more time.
• With Digital X-ray we are able to view the images with in 1-2 minutes of taking them. X-rays are ready for the provider to view by the time patient is back to their exam room, this saves our patients time. With the old developing system it could take up to ½ hour to develop a series of xrays.
• With Digital we have fewer retakes, we have the ability to lighten or darken images for better viewing, this also means less exposure for the patient. With the old processing we would have to retake the x-ray.
• With Digital we have the ability at the view station to magnify & invert images which helps to diagnose fractures better. With old x-rays some fractures can be missed because they are not seen.

As you can see with Digital x-ray there are fewer changes of a injury being missed and it is also a lot more efficient for the clinic and especially our patients.

Bones are our business and we care about your health.

If you have questions about CSC services, call us at 1-507-238-4949.