Solution supports individual patient's radiation exposure tracking and collects radiation exposure information to help measure the use of radiation dose in medical imaging overall

Mortsel, Belgium

· Tracks patient's radiation exposure information across multiple modalities, departments and institutions.

· Provides research-quality data on dose levels.

· Helps support compliance with regulations and highlights conformance to guidelines (when available).

(RSNA 2012, Booth #411, Lakeside Hall) Agfa HealthCare announces that it will demonstrate its new IMPAX Radiation Exposure Monitoring (REM)* solution at the upcoming 2012 RSNA meeting, in Chicago, USA. IMPAX REM provides an automated way to collect, organize and analyze a patient's radiation exposure data. Radiation exposure is of interest to all players in a patient's treatment, from the patient himself, to the referring physician, to the radiology department, to regulatory bodies and to researchers. Information on radiation exposure levels can support the referring physician in making a better-informed decision, while allowing the radiology department to use best practices and to be conform to regulations, for example.

Tracking patient's data across time and sites

IMPAX REM provides access to the available patient's history of radiation exposure from medical imaging studies, as well as access to the patient's radiation exposure estimates from all points of care. PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and modality vendor-neutral, it allows healthcare providers to track dose information across multiple modalities, departments and institutions.

IMPAX REM can play an important part in the joint effort to decrease or avoid unnecessary ionizing radiation. Using the constant measurements to improve imaging practices and increase awareness, healthcare facilities can ensure their quality of care.

Complying with regulations and building better understanding

Medical imaging departments can use IMPAX REM to help them respond to the changing regulatory environment and conform to dose level guidelines (when available). Plus, by providing research quality data, IMPAX REM can support researchers in their effort to further study the impact of radiation exposure levels.

To maximize the potential of the data, IMPAX REM is an IHE based solution, enabling collaboration with other systems and dose repositories. "As a leader in imaging, Agfa HealthCare is very involved in the issue of dose levels; with IMPAX REM we are offering a solution that helps to build more awareness about radiation exposure and dose levels" explains Al Dyer, Global Business Manager IIBU, Agfa HealthCare. "IMPAX REM provides a PACS and modality vendor-neutral solution to help healthcare providers and imaging facilities provide the best care for their patients."

A joint project, for maximum expertise

IMPAX REM came out of a joint, two-year research collaboration project between Agfa HealthCare, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation; the project was completed in December 2011. NRC's REM advisory panel, consisting of clinical and scientific experts and end users, provided input throughout the project.

1 Currently a works in progress

* IMPAX REM -will first be available in the US and Canada

Visit Agfa HealthCare at RSNA 2012, booth #411, Lakeside Hall, or speak with a product expert by contacting salesinfo@agfa.com or visiting www.agfahealthcare.com.

About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare), and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 2,948 million euro in 2010.

About Agfa HealthCare
Agfa HealthCare, a member of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, is a leading global provider of diagnostic imaging and healthcare IT solutions. The company has nearly a century of healthcare experience and has been a pioneer on the healthcare IT market since the early 1990's. Today Agfa HealthCare designs, develops and delivers state-of-the-art systems for capturing, managing and processing diagnostic images and clinical/administrative information for hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as contrast media solutions to enable effective medical imaging results. The company has sales offices and agents in over 100 markets worldwide. Sales for Agfa HealthCare in 2010 were 1,180 million euro. For more information on Agfa HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com