Digital vs. Analog X-rays

Digital vs. Analog X-rays

In previous blog posts I wrote about the importance of obtaining x-rays following Baltimore auto accidents. I wrote about how often clinically important diagnoses went unnoticed either because a hospital did not think a patient’s symptoms were severe enough to warrant x-rays or because a given Chiropractor treating the patient for whiplash, headaches, neck pain or back pain did not have x-rays on site for their patients.

Technology is ever changing and the technology of x-rays is no different. The machinery and chemicals that used to require dark rooms and expensive, smelly chemicals is long since behind us. Today’s x-rays look the same once developed but they are digital (on a CD) rather than analog (think the old big floppy x-rays).

There are several advantages to using new digital x-ray technology in a chiropractic office:

1. Radiation exposure to patients is decreased. This makes x-rays safer for patients.

2. Diagnostic imaging quality is improved. The radiologist or chiropractor can read the films with more clarity, make appropriate diagnoses, and direct care with more confidence than ever before.

3. Decreased development and storage/copy costs. There are no more smelly chemicals to process the films and no more necessity for dark rooms in small offices. A modern digital x-ray can be stored on a flash drive, hard drive, or CD in a matter of seconds and can be archived in a matter of seconds for little cost.

4. Faster interpretation: In a matter of 15 seconds digital x-rays can be transmitted securely to a teleradiology group that can read, interpret, and report their findings. It is not unusual for me to get x-ray interpretations back within 15 minutes of taking x-rays in my office.

The x-ray technology used at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic is state of the art. Patients involved in Baltimore auto accidents that have neck pain or back pain that require x-rays can have them taken quickly in the office. They can be viewed nearly instantly and interpreted in minutes. This allows patients to get on the road to recovery on the first visit rather then being sent down the street to wait in another office.

If you, or someone you know, has been involved in a Baltimore auto accident and require digital x-rays, please contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic at (443) 842-5500. We would be happy to help!

Dr. Gulitz