University Hospital Radiology Group Cork is first in Ireland to implement Agfa’s Valory digital radiography room

The largest consultant-led private radiology services provider in the Munster region upgrades from CR to DR with long-term vendor Agfa.

• The Valory ceiling-suspended radiography room fits in the limited space available at the hospital, but offers a functionality that goes far beyond the usual basics.
• Benefits for the University Hospital Radiology Group include faster exams, higher-quality images, lower radiation dose, and lower overall cost of imaging over the system’s life.
• Prompt installation and implementation ensured the new system was up and running swiftly.

The University Hospital Radiology Group in Cork has evolved into the largest consultant-led private radiology services provider in the Munster region of Ireland. Imaging services cover many subspecialties, including musculoskeletal, paediatrics, gastroenterology, urology, gynaecology, cardiac and respiratory, vascular and interventional radiology, neuroradiology and breast imaging. The group is committed to high-quality patient care through appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic services.

In 2022, the University Hospital Radiology Group decided to change its x-ray service from computer radiography (CR) to the benefits of direct radiography (DR). For this important upgrade, the group chose to stay with its long-term vendor Agfa, and to implement the new Valory ceiling-suspended radiography room.

The right fit and the right functionalities

“Although this is the first Valory room in Ireland, we had no concerns: Agfa specializes is one modality – x-ray –, and has a proven record as our dependable supplier for 20 years. We also had an opportunity to see a demonstration of the system, and get all our questions answered,” says Dr James Brennan, practice manager at the University Hospital Radiology Group Cork.

He continues: “We had a very small space for the x-ray room – 18 square meters – but Valory was an ideal fit. Yet it met our other requirements as well, such as the degree of automation between the tube and table as well as the chest stand. Implementation was smooth and the new system was up and running quickly.”

“We are delighted that our long-term customer, the University Hospital Radiology Group in Cork, has chosen to upgrade from CR to DR with Agfa and the Valory DR room. Valory’s simple design fits into even quite limited spaces. But the ‘beyond basic’ functionality brings reliability, productivity and ‘first-time-right’ imaging into reach for any hospital. The University Hospital Radiology Group especially appreciates the features around radiation dose: dose is embedded on images, and is also available as DICOM data so it can be included in reports. The system’s imaging software, which runs on Windows 10, provides radiation dose parameters for each exam. The radiographers also like the simplicity of the user interface on the tube,” says Caroline Dempsey, Agfa sales and operations manager Ireland.

Valory: Excellence. Pure and Simple.

The Valory DR room, which comes in both ceiling-suspended and floor-mounted x-ray tube configurations, balances reliability and productivity in a modern and easy-to-use design. Benefits include faster patient exams and lower overall cost of imaging over the system’s life.

The system is equipped with Dura-line Caesium Iodide detectors, which deliver robust reliability, cost-effectiveness, and outstanding 15-hour battery autonomy. Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology allows Dura-line detectors to be shared between different modalities. Combined with the intelligent Musica image processing software, they deliver high image quality at the lowest possible dose[1].

Picture: Radiographer Ita Glennon, Agfa’s Martin Tew and Caroline Dempsey, and practice manager James Brennan.

This news story has been sponsored by the companies concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.

[1] Testing with board-certified radiologists has determined that Caesium Bromide (CR) and Caesium Iodide (DR) detectors, when used with Musica image processing, can provide dose reductions of 50 to 60%, compared to traditional Barium Fluoro Bromide CR systems.