Hospital first in Australia to install new AlluraClarity, reducing X-ray radiation dose by up to 73 percent

Royal Philips Electronics today announced Australia's first installation of its AlluraClarity intervention suite with new ClarityIQ technology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide. Philips AlluraClarity is a powerful interventional imaging system that enables clinicians to dramatically reduce the x-ray radiation dose required during interventional neuro-radiology procedures by up to 73 percent, without compromising on image quality. The installation was also the first in Asia Pacific.

Traditionally, lower radiation dose during interventional x-ray procedures, such as for the diagnosis and treatment of aneurysms and tumors, has meant corresponding lower image quality – which could impact on a radiologist's ability to accurately diagnose and treat patients.

Campus Clinical Head of Radiology at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Dr Mary Moss, believes the AlluraClarity installation will provide improvements in patient care.

"The accuracy and speed of acquiring the images during minimally invasive procedures is vital" Dr Moss said. "What this new technology is enabling us to do is to acquire quality images, at significantly reduced x-ray radiation dose levels. Reduced radiation dose translates to improved safety for patients with fewer risks from radiation exposure which has been an issue for longer and more complex procedures."

Radiologists at the hospital can now monitor dose radiation levels in real-time with Philips' DoseAware system. The DoseAware system provides instant, time-stamped feedback in the examination room so that staff can immediately see the level of radiation exposure to radiologists, nurses and radiographers in the room and gives clinicians the ability to modify their work practices.

Previously, patients undergoing interventional procedures at Royal Adelaide Hospital had to be transferred to another room post-procedure when requiring a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. Integrated CT functionality on the Philips AlluraClarity will help in saving time and also freeing up CT imaging rooms at the hospital.

Commenting on the installation, Alan McCarthy, Country Manager for Philips Australia and New Zealand said the Philips AlluraClarity interventional suite at Royal Adelaide Hospital is the most advanced angiography suite of its kind in the country.

"During interventions, clinicians cannot afford to make a trade-off between image quality and x-ray dose," said Alan McCarthy. "One of our key differentiating points at Philips is meaningful innovations, where we able to develop more innovative solutions that take some of the complexity out of healthcare. We continually find ways to apply innovation in a way that is intuitive for clinicians and yield the best outcomes for patients – resulting in better diagnoses, more appropriate treatment planning, faster patient recovery and long-term health. The Philips AlluraClarity incorporates powerful imaging technology that pushes the boundaries of the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, to improve interventional medicine."

Provided by Philips