When purchasing or upgrading to a digital X-ray system, it is important to do your research and make sure you get the right system for you while getting the most out of its investment. Here are some tips for how to make sure you're getting exactly what you need when buying or upgrading a digital X-ray system.
Do:
- 1. Get a demonstration of the software
- 2. Make sure the software has the right tools for your needs
4. Choose a vendor that has a DR loaner program
5. Make sure the digital X-ray system has a 5 year warranty
6. Make sure you have the correct spatial requirements
7. Make sure you have the correct electrical requirements
8. Choose a reputable vendor with experience in digital X-ray systems
Don't:
1. Don't buy a used digital X-ray machine
2. Don't buy old technology
3. Don't buy a system that comes with a recurring monthly cost or service fees
4. Don't buy a CR system
What to do when buying or upgrading a digital X-ray system
1. Get a demonstration of the software
One of the first things we always recommend that people do when looking to buy a new digital X-ray system is to get a demonstration of the software. There are many DR panels on the market and many of them have the same sizes, price tags, as well as features and functionality.
This means the real differentiator between various DR panels is going to be the software. There are a lot of different options out there. Some of them come with a mini PAC system, and some of them do not. Some of them only allow you to view the images in one or two rooms and others don't have viewers at all. These are all factors you want to consider when you're looking to purchase a digital X-ray system.
2. Make sure the software is right for your needs
While you're getting your demonstration of the software, make sure it's going to have the tools you need to effectively do your job. For example, if you're a chiropractor, look at whether the software is going to provide you with alignment analysis tools. If you're catering to a veterinary practice, make sure the software is compatible to be able to take X-rays of animals and pets. These are all vital to ensure the software in the digital X-ray system is right for your needs during the software demonstration.
3. Choose a vendor with a DR drop protection plan
The next thing to consider is to choose a vendor that has a drop protection plan for the DR. Unlike a CR system or previously film-based cassettes, DR panels are susceptible to damage when dropped. So in the event that you do drop it, you don't want to have to purchase a brand new system.
Many vendors will provide some level of DR panel drop protection. Some protection policies act as an insurance policy where you have to pay a deductible based on dropping. Some will provide a discounted price for purchasing a new system, while others have options that are available where it will cover the entire amount.
4. Choose a vendor that has a DR loaner program
Your DR panel is going to be vital for your business if you're taking X-rays on a regular basis. So in the event something does happen to it (like a drop), unlike other systems such as CRs, they can't be fixed on site. Instead, they have to go back to the manufacturer in a clean room and be maintained and repaired in that environment.
What does this mean for you? You're going to want to choose a vendor that has a DR panel loaner program. This means that while they're repairing the DR panel, which might take one to two weeks, they'll send you a loaner panel in the interim. This will allow you to ensure that during that time, you will have a panel that is functioning and can continue taking X-rays with minimal downtime.
5. Makes sure the digital X-ray system has a five-year warranty
As we go into 2022, a five year warranty has become standard in the industry for DR panels and digital X-ray systems. However, some companies only provide one year or three years. So it's important to check which option is available and make sure you choose the five year warranty.
There are also different types of warranties. Some warranties only include technical support, while some are hardware. Make sure to get the one that's going to meet your needs.
6. Make sure you have the correct spatial requirements
The next thing you want to do is ensure that when you're building out a new X-ray room, or you're upgrading from an analog system to digital, that you have the right spatial requirements for a new X-ray room. There's a lot of people that look to buy an X-ray system and realize that they can't actually fit the system that they're looking for into this space. To avoid this, ensure you have accurate measurements of the room.
7. Make sure you have the correct electrical requirements
Along with ensuring you have the spatial requirements for an X-ray room, you also want to make sure that you have the right electrical requirements. Many of these X-ray systems are going to require 100 amps or more of dedicated power into the X-ray room which is something that a lot of sites do not have. While there are some alternatives like stored energy generators that can allow you to still have an X-ray even if you don't have the 100 amps, it's still an important consideration and something to look into when buying or upgrading to a digital X-ray system.
8. Choose a reputable vendor with experience in digital
When you're making your purchase, choose to buy from a reputable vendor that has years of experience with digital X-ray systems. You will want to make sure that they have references that they can provide you from previous customers. You will also need to check whether they have their own dedicated technical support team, or if they rely on third party vendors to be able to provide that service to you. Continued support is important so ensure to check in to see what the vendor can offer you.
What not to do when buying or upgrading a digital X-ray system
1. Don't buy a used digital X-ray machine
We cannot recommend this more strongly: don't buy a used digital X-ray system. The digital X-ray market has evolved so much in the last few years that the technology has advanced significantly. When purchasing or upgrading to a digital X-ray system, you really want to have the latest and greatest technology.
You will find the total cost of ownership if you purchased a used digital X-ray system is that you will end up spending more money on maintaining service contracts and upgrading it to new operating systems. In some cases, because there's been multiple consolidations within the industry, the original manufacturer of the used systems might no longer be around or they might no longer support that particular product.
It's important to consider the total cost of ownership, along with the fact that most new systems come with a five-year warranty. If you're trying to save money by buying used today, you might end up spending several thousand dollars a year just to be able to maintain the service contract. As a result, it would have been cheaper to have purchased a new digital X-ray system.
2. Don't buy old technology
When purchasing or upgrading to a digital X-ray system, it's critical that you don't buy old technology. From the DR panel side, there are other technologies out there called CCD, and GADOX which should not be used because the evolution of this product has come so far in the last few years. What we recommend instead is the cesium panel, which is what most people are now buying. It is the latest and greatest technology that provides you with the best image quality and typically comes with the best warranty.
Additionally, don’t buy a system with an older operating system. There are a lot of used systems out there that operate using Windows 7. Windows 7 is no longer HIPAA compliant. This means it's going to cost you more money to get it back onto the latest operating system and to become HIPAA compliant.
3. Don't buy a system that comes with a recurring monthly cost or service fees
Another thing we recommend is that you don't buy a system that comes with a recurring monthly cost or service fee. There are some companies out there that offer a lower price to purchase the system but then they take advantage of you with a continued monthly fee that you are responsible for, for the rest of the life of the equipment. Considering this, although you paid less upfront over the course of time with the equipment, you're going to end up spending a lot more by paying subscription fees or monthly maintenance fees in order to maintain your system.
You shouldn't be paying a monthly fee for service and support within the first five years. Instead, we recommend that you go with a different vendor with a five-year warranty that covers everything you need.
4. Don't buy a CR system
CR systems were one of the very first ways in which you could start digital X-ray, they've been around for many years and they are a good product. However, the cost of purchasing and maintaining a CR system is going to be something that is going to cost you more money in the long run than going with a DR panel.
We highly recommend not going with CR for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is time. It takes significantly more time to be able to take a CR digital X-ray than with a DR panel. You will also want to consider that with a CR you're not going to be able to get the same type of reimbursements as you would with a DR panel. Lastly, any of these CR systems are going to be near the end of life. Meaning you will no longer be able to get support from the manufacturer if you have any issues.
In conclusion
X-ray systems have come a long way in the last few years, and choosing one today is much different than it was just a decade ago. There is a range of digital X-ray equipment available, with many different features that may or may not apply to your needs. Keep these do's and don'ts in mind when you're looking for an X-ray system, so you can purchase or upgrade to the digital X-ray system that's right for you.
