Philips has good news for hospitals and patients: their system, the Radiology Operations Command Center, which allows radiologists to assist with scanning remotely, has been officially approved under European regulations. This means that experienced radiologists can now view and assist with medical imaging remotely. As a result, more people in Europe can benefit from better diagnoses and care, even if there is no specialist nearby.
“With the Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC), we can provide live support to multiple locations. We leverage the expertise in our Command Center so that every location has access to it. This allows us to improve efficiency and continue to provide the same level of care in all institutions,” said Martina Salomon, specialist in MR applications at Med360° in Leverkusen, Germany. The ROCC enables experienced radiology staff to collaborate with technicians at the scan location from a different location. This is done securely and independently of the type or brand of scanner. The system is suitable for various types of imaging equipment, such as MRI, CT, and PET-CT scanners.
High-quality images
A trial at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London clearly demonstrated the benefits. During the trial, 9 percent more scans were performed. This was because scan times were shorter and no scans had to be redone. This is a significant improvement, especially at a time when hospitals are facing growing demand for imaging examinations.
Radiology experts can watch live, change settings, and communicate directly with the technicians on the work floor. This is done via chat, voice, or video, without compromising the security or privacy of patient data.
More patients in less time
According to Léon Kempeneers, director of Philips Benelux, this is an important step forward: “Hospitals are increasingly facing a shortage of experienced radiology technicians. This is particularly a problem with complex examinations, such as an MRI of the heart. With this new solution, radiologists can apply their knowledge from any location, enabling patients to be helped faster and better.”
During RSNA 2024 at the end of last year, Philips unveiled the new 1.5T BlueSeal MR scanner with a wide tunnel. Thanks to this technology, more patients can be scanned per day without compromising quality. At the heart of this is Philips' Smart Reading technology. This scanner has a design with a tunnel diameter of 70 centimeters. The device features AI-based MR Smart Workflow solutions.
