Shinda Medical and Bytes Document Solutions, the sole distributor of Xerox in South Africa, have developed a close partnership over the past two years to bring a tested and proven x-ray solution to doctors and radiologists, which cuts their x-ray costs by as much as 90%.
X-rays typically cost around R30 each for a laser film print, and while they are required for diagnostics, they are required far more extensively for referral purposes that do not necessitate the same quality of print and do not require laser film.
“Diagnostic x-rays have to be of the highest quality to prevent misdiagnosis or reduce the chance of a misdiagnosis,” says Roger Milford, director at Shinda Medical, “but for referral purposes, radiologists can send a paper print at near-diagnostic quality for R2.60 each. And, being paper, it's easy to work with, doctors can even make notes on it and place it in a patient file or bag when patients are transferred or referred.”
Milford says clients typically enjoy full return on their investment (ROI) within three to six months, depending on the specific solution. Taking an average 26 CT, CR, and DRs per day plus six MRIs costs on average R67 320 a month, which means that replacing the majority of those with the aycan and Xerox solution will generate a total ROI in just over three months.
The full solution consists of aycan software, called aycan x-ray print, which interfaces with Xerox printers to produce the prints. Xerox is the only printer certified to operate with the aycan software.
“Xerox has worked closely with aycan software internationally to ensure tight technological integration so that the system operates smoothly and hassle-free,” says Peter Vieira, national channel manager of the Xerox division at Bytes Document Solutions. “We have formed an equally close partnership with Shinda Medical in South Africa so that delivery of the solution to medical rooms, where it is most critical, is just as smooth and seamless.”
The primary benefits of the aycan and Xerox solution from Shinda Medical are:
* Ninety percent cost reduction of the current hard-copy medical imaging cost;
* Inexpensive communication tool for the referring physicians and patients;
* No high transportation cost because paper images can be sent through regular mail and eliminates expensive courier cost;
* No expensive film “jackets” because paper can be folded and sent through regular mail;
* Reduced labour cost associated with tracking, filing, and transporting film;
* Near-diagnostic quality according to industry benchmark quality;
* Environmentally safe because paper eliminates chemical-based film equipment and associated environmental compliance activities;
* Easy file and storage of the paper because of its size and pliability, which means it can be easily filed and stored with other patient records;
* Independency of light boxes because paper images can be shared anywhere for meaningful discussion;
* Easy to annotate and mark to clarify diagnostic results and descriptions;
* It allows colour images to be printed as 3D images, US, NM, and more;
* It is not sensitive to light and therefore does not degrade due to direct sunlight and holds its quality for 15 years; and
* It is operated like a film camera.
“Radiology departments and imaging centres in hospitals, medical centres, and doctors' rooms are moving to digital because they're looking to reduce their costs,” says Milford. “But referring physicians are asking for hard-copy images together with reports and diagnoses.”
“It's significant that the paperless hospital, just like the paperless office, remains an illusion,” says Vieira, “but hospitals and doctors' rooms are under pressure to reduce costs through producing the film, transporting it, and the labour cost of handling it.”
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