Over the last few decades, medical imaging has advanced and revolutionized patient care. It has allowed healthcare givers to identify injuries and conditions and improve outcomes significantly. In fact, most studies agree that this is one of the top medical developments the world has ever seen. Considering that some illnesses can be asymptomatic yet deadly, medical imaging is the gift that has saved many lives. In the article below, learn how this technology is helping patients.
Aids in Complicated Surgeries
Medical imaging equipment like the Hologic C-arms has significantly benefited the health industry. Surgical C-arm machines are used to visualize the body’s anatomy. You’ll find them in different departments, like cardiology, traumatology, orthopedics, and vascular surgery. They provide real-time high-resolution images, allowing surgeons to track patients’ progress during the surgery.
Allows Correct Diagnosis
Although healthcare providers use their knowledge to discern and diagnose conditions, medical imaging plays a huge role in confirming a diagnosis. Considering that over 7 million misdiagnoses are made every year, medical imaging can help reduce that number. The technology informs doctors of internal problems they wouldn’t know through external examination.
Track Ongoing Illnesses
Medical imaging is also key in tracking ongoing illnesses. CT scans, MRIs and especially fluoroscopy all allow the doctor to monitor the progress of a condition or illness and come up with an effective treatment. Hologic’s fluoroscopy technology especially allows doctors to view tissue and organs in real-time. Such equipment generates information that allows doctors to provide comprehensive care for patients.
Helps Expectant Mothers
Another use of medical imaging is through ultrasound technology, often used on expectant mothers. This technology has improved over the last few decades, giving doctors clearer images of the baby in the womb. Through ultrasound, doctors can monitor the child’s health and ascertain concerning issues earlier in the pregnancy. Aside from obstetrics, ultrasound is also used on soft tissues in the abdomen, neck, and breasts to identify illnesses.
Increased Patient Safety
For the longest time, people were concerned that imaging technology was exposing patients to radiation. The good news is that scientists have improved imaging equipment, reducing the amount of radiation they produce. In the same breath, you’ll find protective clothing and accessories used to deal with radiation, protecting the people who come into contact with such equipment. Today, the radiation emitted by imaging equipment comes with very little risk than some activities you do daily, such as driving.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
People are always looking for ways to reduce healthcare costs, and medical imaging has proved it can help. Because doctors can easily identify what is ailing a patient, they can quickly make decisions about the treatment plan for patients. Medical imaging eliminates invasive diagnostic procedures, exploratory surgeries, or cardiac catheterization, which are usually costly to the patient.
Painless Diagnostic Procedures
Most imaging procedures are painless. A good example is ultrasound, which is painless. The doctor uses ultrasound technology to monitor fetuses, a procedure that neither harms the mother nor the child.
Medical imaging is a game changer in the world of healthcare, helping physicians diagnose and treat patients accurately. And the more technology evolves, the more medical imaging will keep developing and assisting physicians and patients.