Get the answers you need about digital radiography

Digital radiography is a hot topic in veterinary medicine. Some would even say it is the latest craze. Considering that digital radiography and a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) will initially cost a practice between $50,000 and $150,000, switching from film to digital images is not a decision to be taken lightly.

When contemplating a digital radiography purchase, you should consider the obvious topics such as image quality, cost, and service contracts. However, to fully realize the benefits of digital radiography, you should also consider that a digital radiography and PACS system must be able to communicate and integrate with your hospital network, outside teleradiology services, and even your practice management system. Digital radiography vendors will provide you with a wealth of useful information; however, it is always beneficial to seek out objective information when researching your purchase.

Matt Wright, DVM, DACVR

The American College of Veterinary Radiography (ACVR) recently formed the Digital Imaging Standards Committee to make recommendations about digital imaging standards and to help guide veterinarians with their digital radiography purchases. In 2006, the ACVR recommended that the Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard be used as the imaging standard in veterinary medicine. The article "An introduction to DICOM" will give you an overview of what this important standard means to the private veterinary practitioner.

The other articles in this supplement address several additional areas to consider before making a digital radiography purchase; however, a full discussion of all the important considerations is outside the scope of this supplement. In the future, look for additional articles and recommendations from the ACVR in Veterinary Medicine and in other online and print publications. In the meantime, if you have any questions about a digital radiography purchase, please do not hesitate to contact the ACVR or any of the authors of the articles in this supplement.

Matt Wright, DVM, DACVR, with the Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego, 7522-7524 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111, has a Web site dedicated to helping veterinarians adopt digital radiography and teleradiology in their practices, www.animalinsides.com. He is the chair of the ACVR Digital Imaging Standards Committee.