Methodist Center for Orthopaedic Surgery Chooses Viztek U-Arm DR

Affordable Purchase Price Helps Accelerate Facility Expansion

Raleigh, NC—Methodist Center for Orthopaedic Surgery (Houston) has installed a Viztek U-Arm digital radiography (DR) system to equip its newly opened West Houston facility for state-of-the-art imaging exams.  The practice is affiliated with the Methodist Hospital System and provides general and multi sub-specialty services, including foot/ankle, sports medicine and spine treatment.

According to Loren Skinner, MBA, orthopedics practice administrator, “The site selected the Viztek system for its high quality images, easy-to-use interface and its reasonable price point.”

“The Viztek U-Arm meets all of our needs,” continues Skinner.  “While we were not specifically seeking out a U-arm configuration, we found it to have a number of nice benefits,” he explains.  “The device is really easy-to-use.  We found that we can conduct most of our exams with patients standing up and have seldom had to use the table that was purchased with the system.  In addition to the purchase price, we saved significant construction costs by eliminating the need for installing an overhead strut channel system to support an overhead tube crane.”

Bruce Ashby, Viztek DR product manager explains that Methodist received the new Viztek 4143 cesium DR panel technology, allowing the facility to offer superior image quality and faster  acquisition time.

Ashby adds, “The site also received the latest in auto-movement and auto-positioning technology as part of the system.  This allows continuous scoliosis and long length imaging, in addition to long bone stitched images. The ability to perform these types of procedures is a critical function Viztek has helped Methodist implement.”  

Prior to purchasing the unit, Skinner and members of the technology team visited a local facility to view the device in use.  The group was impressed with the image quality and ultra-fast workflow in an extremely busy setting.  Feedback from all of Viztek’s reference sites also was positive. 

“Based on this, we felt the unit would be an excellent choice.  It was not even a difficult decision,” says Skinner.  “Although they were accustomed to prone patient imaging, the technologists’ adapted easily to the U-Arm’s default standing exam position.   Spine image stitching also is extremely easy.”

According to Skinner, everyone, including the orthopedist believes the image quality is superb.  Installation was problem-free and the site was up and running quickly.  As a nice bonus, the Viztek unit’s affordable purchase price meant that the site could use the funds saved to accelerate its facility expansion plans.

“We were going to open the new West Houston clinic’s three pods in stages because of budget considerations,” says Skinner.  “With the capital expense savings realized with the Viztek U-Arm, we could open all pods simultaneously.”

“Methodist demonstrates   how Viztek DR’s advanced workflow tools and positioning devices  can place a facility at the forefront of digital imaging,” says
Ashby.