In a white paper titled, "Raising the Bar by Lowering the Dose," Frost & Sullivan has concluded that Agfa HealthCare's direct radiography (DR) platform, highlighted by Agfa HealthCare's MUSICA image processing software, is "well differentiated" from the competition and meets "best-of-breed" status by addressing "The Three Pillars of Digital Radiography's Value Proposition:" producing excellent image quality, keeping radiation dose as low as reasonably achievable, and enabling high workflow productivity.
In its analysis of the radiography industry and Agfa HealthCare's DR platform,Frost & Sullivan determined that the true differentiator in imaging today is the sophisticated software that makes a DR system better able to meet the complex demands of users. Agfa HealthCare's MUSICA image processing software is cited as a leader in the industry for its ability to deliver excellent images at up to 60 percent lower radiation dose* compared to conventional CR/DR, and according to the study, up to 40 percent lower than current DR competitors. In addition, MUSICA's use of fractional multi-scaled processing results in high-resolution images with sharp detail and high contrast, which increase an interpreter's diagnostic confidence.
The strength of MUSICA was one of several advantages cited by Agfa HealthCare customers, who were queried on their rationale for selecting Agfa HealthCare's DR system and the benefits that the platform offers. In interviews conducted by Frost & Sullivan, technologists from health systems across the U.S. noted that the image quality produced by Agfa HealthCare's DR system and its ability to impact workflow and radiation dose were the leading reasons why they purchased Agfa HealthCare's DR systems over those of competitors.
Louis Kuitenbrouwer, Vice President Imaging Division, Agfa HealthCare commented, "Agfa HealthCare's DR technologies were designed with our customers' needs in mind. We're excited that our DR systems are continually rated as top products for image quality with sharp details. As noted in the Frost & Sullivan white paper, achieving high image quality while enabling dose optimization and productivity enhancements is the 'three-pronged key to success for hospital radiography services.' We can confidently say that our DR technologies offer high resolution, quality images at the lowest radiation dose reasonably achievable, which according to our customers translates into significant workflow benefits."
* Testing with board-certified radiologists has determined that Cesium Bromide (CR) and Cesium Iodide (DR) Detectors, when used with MUSICA image processing, can provide dose reductions between 50 to 60%, compared to traditional Barium Fluoro Bromide CR systems. Contact Agfa HealthCare for more details.
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- Agfa HealthCare's Profile
About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare), and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 2,865 million euro in 2013.
About Agfa HealthCare
Agfa HealthCare, a member of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, is a leading global provider of diagnostic imaging and healthcare IT solutions. The company has nearly a century of healthcare experience and has been a pioneer on the healthcare IT market since the early 1990's. Today Agfa HealthCare designs, develops and delivers state-of-the-art systems for capturing, managing and processing diagnostic images and clinical/administrative information for hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as contrast media solutions to enable effective medical imaging results. The company has sales offices and agents in over 100 markets worldwide. Sales for Agfa HealthCare in 2013 were 1,160 million euro.