X-ray scans are typically a key initial step in obtaining a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan for a patient’s well-being. A facility’s financial stability is dependent in part on the money earned by the tests. However, if your imaging facility’s equipment isn’t performing to its full potential, it may have an adverse effect on both its daily operations and its bottom line.
6 tips to take care of X-ray accessories
Taking good care of your X-ray equipment helps safeguard your financial investment while also allowing you to get the most out of it. Here are six tips for getting the most out of your imaging equipment’s investment and maintaining it at peak performance so that you may get superior diagnostic findings.
Regular maintenance
In order to maintain your equipment performing at its best, complying with all applicable regulations and safety requirements, and working within the parameters set by the manufacturer, regular preventive maintenance is a need. The device should only be serviced by trained and authorized technicians.
For three good reasons, many imaging facilities sign a technical service agreement with their manufacturer. For starters, your supplier’s workers have been educated by the manufacturer and will have the requisite equipment to do calibrations. You won’t have to deal with delays caused by an outside tech who doesn’t have the required equipment.
Proper utilization and manipulation
Proper use and manipulation of equipment is key to keep it working properly. Thus, it is important to keep your staff trained in its use. Training sessions are usually offered by your equipment provider. Carestream recommends refresher training at regular intervals to reinforce knowledge, especially in departments with frequent rotation of personnel.
Having a well-trained staff will help improve utilization and operational efficiency along with reduced opportunity of error, repeat exams and patient inconvenience.
Regular component care
Component care and maintenance is often neglected. They are, nonetheless, critical to the proper operation of your system. Your imaging equipment’s return on investment (ROI) would suffer as a result of their downtime. Batteries, radiographic films, phosphor chassis, and detectors are among the components. Here are a few pointers for extending the life of your components while still ensuring the highest possible picture quality.
Detectors are vital to the success of an operation. An out-of-order detector may bring down your well-oiled machine. If you drop a detector you’ll want to handle it with care.
Wireless detectors rely on batteries for their operation. Lithium-ion batteries are used in Carestream detectors. Because they may be irreversibly damaged if left discharged, we don’t advocate doing so. They may be refilled at any time.
Provide proper environment
The environment in which x ray accessories is used is also a consideration. Keep your equipment at the right temperature at all times. The manufacturer’s suggested operating temperature may be found in your user handbook.
In addition, you must have a well-functioning electrical system. The applications or programs that keep your equipment functioning might be damaged by electrical faults that unexpectedly halt the operation of the equipment. To prevent this, contact the right person at your facility for regular electrical network repair.
Follow maker’s instruction to clean
Keep your equipment in excellent physical condition as well. That has an effect on equipment performance you would not expect.
The equipment’s covers and command and display controls should be cleaned first (if equipped with your equipment). Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use products that have been approved for use. Discoloration might occur if unapproved cleaning chemicals are used. Unsafe chemical seepage into user-interaction displays might also be a consequence of subpar cleaning procedures. For further information, refer to your operating handbook. Contact your provider if cleaning measures aren’t stated or if you’ve misplaced your handbook. In order to minimize electrical damage, be sure to switch off the X-ray equipment before conducting any cleaning.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, these six tips for the care and maintenance of X-ray equipment were helpful to you. While some of them need a service contract with your manufacturer, others may be done by you and your team without any technical experience. Equipment downtime may be minimized and the return on investment (ROI) can be maximized by performing regular preventative maintenance and upkeep.
