Successful mobile DXA service replaces well-used equipment

Established in 2006, the Swansea NHS Trust mobile DXA service scanned more than 1,000 patients in its first year. Since then the service has proved to be very popular, with over 18,000 patients scanned by the end of last year.

The mobile service calling at Withybush Hospital, West Wales General Hospital and Singleton Hospital was first set up when the trust realised that osteoporosis screening was very important but that old and frail patients would find it difficult to make long journeys to a fixed facility. 

Now the original Hologic Explorer scanner has been replaced by a Hologic Horizon W, both supplied by Vertec Scientific, in a newly-built custom trailer.  This new system is entirely dedicated to screening Hywel Dda University Health Board patients.

Consultant clinical scientist and head of nuclear medicine for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board Dr Neil Hartman said: “It is particularly gratifying to see the service being so successful and the benefit from this innovative concept of delivering a service locally, nearer to where patients live, but without increasing the burden on NHS costs.  The mobile DXA is now established as the gold standard to which other services can be delivered.”

DXA practitioner for ABMU and Hywel Dda University health boards Monica Martins added: “Plans for the future include further service development through the introduction of new techniques in the screening of patients at Hywel Dda, namely vertebral fracture assessment, and a possible expansion to deliver the service at other hospitals in that trust.”

Photo: Pictured in the mobile equipped with a Hologic Horizon W are clinical technologists Fatima Gomes and Daniela Nobrega with Vertec product specialist Bill Reid.

Published on page 2 of the March 2019 issue of RAD Magazine.