An In-House Solution For Bone Density Testing

Last Updated on Friday, 19 November 2010 11:55 Written by admin Tuesday, 13 October 2009 12:48

There is a new bone densitometer from Alara, Inc. available from Dicom Solutions. This device offers an in-house solution for bone density testing. Prior to this, patients who needed bone density testing had to have the test performed in the imaging center of a hospital, which had the effect of slowing down the test results as well as making it less convenient for patients.

The new bone densitometer, called MetriScan, can identify osteoporosis, monitor patients’ response to osteoporosis treatment as well as test for their risk for fractures. The bone densitometer also allows physicians, after reviewing patients’ personal and family medical history, to perform bone density tests or bone mass measurements in-house.

Key features of the MetriScan bone densitometer include very short processing time for test results. Getting test results takes only one minute, and if you wish to print out the results, one additional minute is all it takes. The test itself is performed by the bone densitometer in less than one second.

Other features include automatic calibration checks for a very low clinical precision error rate. Patients require no preparation for the test and the test itself is painless. Radiation levels for the test are lower than five percent of that used in acquiring a dental x-ray.

The most common uses for the bone densitometer are for small or mid-sized medical facilities, especially those with primary care physicians. Patient care improves because at-risk patients can be tested for bone mineral density more often as a part of their routine examinations, and the testing is covered by Medicare for senior patients.

Bone Mineral Density Testing Can Now Be Performed In-House By Primary Care Physicians

Last Updated on Wednesday, 3 November 2010 12:36 Written by admin Thursday, 28 May 2009 12:39

Primary care physicians offer front-line care to their patients, and as part of that care regularly perform routine examinations and tests. One of the tests that up until recently required the patient to go to the hospital imaging center is for bone mineral density, with a common test being the Central DEXA, or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, test. Now there is an easier way, and that is offered by Alara, Incorporated with their new MetriScan bone densitometer machine. Available through Dicom Solutions, the MetriScan makes it possible to perform a quick bone density test right in your medical office.

This bone density machine is essentially a scanner. A patient lays a hand on the screen, and the machine scans the hand. After this, the bone densitometer proceeds to calculate the patient’s T and Z scores for you, after which it will print out the test results. Ordinarily, you would expect that this type of test would take a great deal of time to perform, but the MetriScan delivers these remarkable results in as little as one minute, with only an additional minute needed to print the test results.

The speed and efficient operation of this bone density equipment makes it a top choice for routine health examinations when you want to keep tabs on the bone density of at-risk patients. It is also much easier for the patients, who no longer have to schedule testing at the hospital. The equipment is safe for use, because it utilizes a very low radiation dose of less than a fraction of what is used in a dental x-ray. Patients need no lengthy preparation for the test, unlike other hospital tests that require the use of messy gels.

Another benefit inherent in the MetriScan is its compact size. Measuring in at sixteen inches by sixteen inches, this remarkable machine will easily fit on a desktop for your convenience.

The bone densitometer is also easy to use. All that is required to bring this testing to your patients is a short in-office tutorial, and you are ready to go. Basic patient data is also easy to input, and the testing itself is completely painless for the patient as well. The precision of the machine, which offers a lower total clinical precision error than ultrasound systems, is ensured by its automatic calibration check.

The convenient, easy-to-use MetriScan is available from Dicom Solutions, who can provide you with more information.