Clinical Advancements in Angiographic Imaging

Partnership to Improve Patient Safety excessive vessel stenosis or occlusion. The Fresh Blood Imaging technique enables us to visualize the blood vessels with just minor blood ﬂow – and without the potential for contamination and extra examinations if we had used conventional imaging techniques.” Toshiba’s non-contrast MRA has provided yet another avenue for improving patient care at Springhill. As explained by Dempsey, “When a patient visits the physician with a condition that requires imaging, that patient is referred to Springhill radiologists for imaging and answers. But if the radiologist is unable to provide answers due to a pre-existing condition, patient care, education and safety can be hindered. With Toshiba’s non-contrast MRA, we can image more patients, provide better and faster answers, and expand patient care without compromising patient safety.” Leading the Market with Partnership Springhill’s long-standing partnership with Toshiba has contributed to the success of its radiology department, and enabled the hospital to remain competitive in the multi-player Mobile healthcare market. “Radiology is one of our most critical centers at the hospital, and our most important diagnostic component. It’s also where we can do the most good for our patients before inducing invasive treatment,” says Jeffrey St. Clair, administrator and chief operating ofﬁcer at Springhill. “From a business perspective, radiology generates the second most hospital revenue, which is critical given that most hospitals are now operating at historically low margins. The Medicare wage index in Mobile is the second lowest in the nation, and one of the lowest-reimbursed regions. Therefore, a proﬁtable radiology department is an absolute necessity – and the more technological advantages we can use to drive patients and capture market share, the better off the hospital is as a whole.” In addition to its patient care beneﬁts, the Vantage Atlas reduces operating cost and improves workﬂow by eliminating the time and expense of administering contrast, which can also minimize the economic burden on patients. “Advanced technologies like Toshiba’s Vantage Atlas also help us hold on to our market share, and save on operating costs to better compete in our market. Competition is healthy for the industry and the patient, and we’ve been able to lead by example and improve patient care in Mobile with help from Toshiba,” adds St. Clair. A B Figure 2: Image A (Time-SLIP): Renal arteries are well demonstrated, showing no obstruction or narrowing. Image B: Renal arteries are not as well visualized due to parenchymal enhancement, suggesting narrowing of second order vessels. Smaller vessels are not visualized at all. Toshiba has an uncommon dedication to Springhill to ensure its success and help the hospital achieve its patient care vision in the community. Based on its Made for Life philosophy, Toshiba prides itself on leading life-saving innovations, as well as developing life-long partnerships. “Springhill serves the community at large, and by having reliable equipment we can maintain our services to patients. However, Toshiba brings more to the table than just that,” claims Dempsey. “From my experience, the greatest beneﬁt of partnering with Toshiba occurs after the sale has been made. Toshiba offers unique technology; however, it is the company’s customer service and dedication to improving long-term patient care that differentiates it from others who are just vendors. Time and again, Toshiba and its service staff have put our needs above their own, which is uncommon, to say the least.” Thanks to the new non-contrast MRA innovation in medical imaging, a life-saving MRA examination to detect peripheral vascular disease is no longer a life-threatening proposition. Equally important as the development of non-contrast MRA, is ensuring that such innovation gets into the hands of healthcare providers like Springhill that are committed to using it to ensure longterm patient and community beneﬁt. “We are proud to partner with Toshiba as leaders in our respective ﬁelds. Our relationship has led to greater outcomes for all,” says Ms. Wallace. CA Oc tober 2 0 0 7 A public ation produced by Toshiba Medic al Sys t ems 13

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Clinical Advancements in Angiographic Imaging

Contents PhaseXact™: Automatic Phase Cardiac Reconstruction Giant Internal Carotid Aneurysm Non-Contrast SSFP Time-SLIP Imaging: Renal Artery Stenosis Springhill Medical Center: A Partnership to Improve Patient Safety Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Right Coronary Artery (RCA) lesion with SUREPlaque analysis Neurovascular CTA: When every second counts

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.