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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Thursday, August 15, 2013

BRTTH opens first digital radiography facility in Bicol

By Sally A. Atento

 LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 15 (PIA) -- The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) here is now conducting “film-less radiology procedure” with the inauguration Thursday last week of the digital radiology department.

Instead of traditional photographic film, this procedure uses digital x-ray sensors to generate digital images that can be transmitted for easier and faster results.

It is currently used for X-ray and CT scan and will be applied soon to ultrasound and mammogram. The facility can load 100 images of X-ray and 10 images of CT scan in a day and can generate results within 30 minutes with the internet reading support of radiologists from Manila or even abroad.

“We lack radiologist in the region who can read and interpret test results but with the new digital radiography facility, we can cater to the needs of Bicolanos for state of the art health facilities that can provide faster and cheaper services,” BRTTH medical professional chief Dr. Salvacion Macenas said.

“Operators of traditional procedures also know how to read results but legally they are not authorized to do it. We only have a few radiologists in the region leading to delays in results. Since we can now generate digital images we can transmit it to doctors and hospitals outside the region accredited to read and give results within 24 hours,” Macenas explained.

Traditional procedures typically take five days reading time.

Aside from time efficiency, Macenas said digital procedures are more environment and health friendly since it doesn’t involve chemical processing and radiation exposure to generate images.

Processing techniques can also be used to enhance the overall display and clarity of the image.

The facility is under the public private partnership program of the government between the BRTTH and the Media Archives Philippines Inc. (MAPI), a private service provider to the global healthcare industry chosen to provide the facility through a bidding process.

“Although the BRTTH is managing the facility our private partner has infused financial capital so service rates are higher compared to our usual rates but it is still cheaper compared to other health facilities and private hospitals, Macenas said. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay) 

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