The North Shore Long Island Jewish (North Shore-LIJ) Health System in New York, US, has signed a $12m purchase agreement with GE Healthcare to acquire 15 GE low-dose CT scanners.
Purchased as part of the health system's $50m investment, the scanners will be deployed at ten locations throughout New York over the next year.
The scanners are designed to reduce patients' radiation exposure and provide high-quality diagnostic images.
The solution will also replace or update the existing conventional diagnostic imaging systems at the health system's facilities.
North Shore-LIJ president and CEO Michael Dowling said as one of the first health systems in the country to replace or upgrade all of its diagnostic imaging equipment with low-dose technology, the health system is setting a new, higher standard for patient safety.
"By collaborating with GE and adopting this innovative approach to medical imaging, we will have more information and tools to ensure that patients receive the latest, most effective care possible," Dowling added.
The health system is also installing GE's monitoring software, DoseWatch, which tracks how much radiation is emitted by each CT and creates a database of the information.
The database is expected to enhance the monitor levels of emission and enable radiologists to adjust their practices based on the latest clinical evidence.
North Shore-LIJ has embarked on a three-year plan to upgrade or replace $50m of equipment with lose-dose technology after its imaging services division initiated a review of the diagnostic imaging equipment housed at 14 hospitals and six outpatient facilities throughout New York City and Long Island in 2010.
The North Shore-LIJ's imaging facilities, which help comple the American College of Radiology's (ACR) accreditation process, have achieved 100% compliance with the ACR's 'Image Wisely' and 'Image Gently' pledges, according to the health system.
Image:North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling addressing a news conference. Photo:The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
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