• According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), digital radiology may represent the greatest technological advance in medical imaging over the last decade. The agency goes so far as to predict that traditional X-ray imaging will be "obsolete in a few years." Much like the transition from analog to digital in other media, digital radiography offers many benefits and efficiencies.

    X-ray

  • Medical Practice Benefits

    Like other digital photography, digital X-ray equipment offers medical professionals a sharper image to use in diagnostic procedures. Images can also be digitally manipulated using contrast and brightness alterations in ways that are impossible with traditional X-rays. Images can then be archived on digital media, which can save large amounts of storage space, which is often at a premium in medical facilities. They can also be backed up remotely, which means they will be safe if the primary facility experiences a fire or some other catastrophic event. Practices can also save money on disposal fees for the chemicals and film associated with traditional radiography. In addition to money, practices can save time processing film, as digital X-rays provide nearly instant results which can be shared with the patient immediately on a computer monitor.
 

  • Patient Benefits

    Due to the significantly faster X-ray results, patients are likely to experience quicker appointments and less anxious waiting for diagnosis. Patients are also likely to appreciate that digital X-rays can achieve high picture quality with a lower dosage of radiation, which can mean less exposure and less risk, provided the operator does not take more images than needed. In addition, digital images can easily be transferred from one doctor's office to another via email, on disc or by other electronic means. This saves the patient the difficulty of trying to get physical records transferred, for example from a primary doctor to a specialist or hospital.

  • Environmental Benefits

    Digital X-rays reduce the environmental impact of radiography in a number of ways. Traditional X-rays require the use of film, fixer and developer chemicals which must be disposed of after use. Digital radiography eliminates the need for these materials, as well as the gallons of water used by traditional X-ray developing techniques. According to GE, "eliminating 50,000 analog films saves 1,900 gallons of fixer and developer chemicals per year." Digital radiography is also potentially less energy-intensive, according to GE, which states that their digital X-ray system "has the potential to reduce energy consumption by 4,300 kWh or 78%."