Ridgefield, CT -- Saint Francis Occupational Health Center has selected CoActiv EXAM-ESSENTIALS™ Plus for the ongoing management of x-ray images as part of its conversion from film to digital imaging. The facility evaluates patients for work-related injuries and provides immediate care as well as ongoing physical therapy. Saint Francis needed easy-to-use, cost-effective technology that would enable it to evaluate images quickly and transmit them to its offsite radiology group for diagnostic reading. The sale was made by CoActiv distributor Parker X-Ray of East Hartford, CT, a member of the National Healthcare Distributors (NHD) network.

"CoActiv's Exam-Essentials solution provided the answer we sought," says Curt Anderson, R.T.R., Operations Manager for the facility, who played the key role in working with Parker X-Ray to select their recommended technology. "Our Occupational Medicine physicians often include x-rays in their preliminary assessment of the patient. With digital images, they can accomplish this much more quickly than with film and can easily make adjustments such as contrast and zoom to enhance their image view. Moreover, the digital conversion and new CoActiv system frees technologists from time-consuming film processing and filing tasks, enabling them to take on expanded roles in the management of patients."

Exam-Essentials speeds Saint Francis exams digitally to its offsite radiology group for reading. In the past, hard copy films were transported by an in-house delivery van to the reading location, with time delay and added expense. Now, exam results are delivered so quickly through CoActiv's advanced communications technology that often they are turned around and the diagnosis arrives while patients are still onsite. This enables faster treatment and also adds a new level of convenience for patients, who no longer need to wait for a phone call or return to the facility to obtain their results.
Saint Francis also installed a direct Internet connection enabling a remote radiologist specializing in asbestos-exposure cases to log on and read these specialized films using the CoActiv system.

"Both physicians and technologists have found the technology extremely user friendly with a minimal learning curve," says Anderson. "Exam-Essentials was installed and running in just several hours. CoActiv provided excellent training, and we were viewing images and seeing patients that same day."

"CoActiv offers a full range of PACS solutions and related products for all market segments, from large multi-site hospitals to small imaging centers as well as specialties beyond radiology that offer imaging services," says Frank Baker, General Manager, CoActiv. "Exam-Essentials is a simple, affordable, full-featured image management application that enables practices such as Saint Francis with a limited image volume to enjoy all the benefits of digital imaging that they otherwise might not be able to afford. We are pleased the solution has helped Saint Francis to eliminate darkrooms and file rooms and frees up staff for other important activities to help the practice function smoothly."

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