Eastman Kodak Company

Kodak Announces Technology to Enhance Productivity for Its Digital Medical Image Capture Systems

Healthcare Customers Can Link Multiple CR, DR Systems to Improve Workflow

Boston, Aug. 01 -- Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the technology to enhance workflow efficiencies by linking its computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems in radiology departments. The company also announced its newest-version operating software for KODAK CR and DR system platforms at the 2004 AHRA (American Healthcare Radiology Administrators) meeting this week. 

The KODAK DIRECTVIEW Capture Link System gives technologists the ability to identify and process cassettes, and to review images at any linked CR system or KODAK DIRECTVIEW Remote Operations Panel. Consequently, technologists can use all linked CR devices to process individual studies during peak periods, thus enhancing both productivity and workflow.

The Capture Link System also streamlines workflow when a study contains DR and CR images. Normally DR and CR images must be tracked and viewed separately. However, the Capture Link System enables CR images to be identified and viewed, along with DR images, at the KODAK DIRECTVIEW DR system operator console. This capability is especially important for trauma cases, where time saved by this integration can have the greatest impact on patient care.

 “Our Capture Link System is unique because we can identify, scan and review CR images at any linked CR or DR System. This offers our customers the flexibility to improve productivity by balancing workflow among several devices,” said Kevin Hobert, General Manager of Digital Capture Systems and Vice President, Kodak’s Health Imaging Group.    

The Capture Link System can accommodate up to five CR or DR systems, or up to a total of 20 KODAK DIRECTVIEW Remote Operations Panels or PCs with KODAK DIRECTVIEW Remote Patient Data Entry Software (RPDES) installed. Wall-mounted KODAK Remote Operations Panels are located in exam rooms to allow radiographers to perform most system functions away from the main unit. KODAK RPDES Software allows patient data to be entered on a remote PC at the radiology reception desk or other preferred location, instead of by a technologist.

The KODAK Capture Link System will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Operating Software Upgrades

Kodak also announced the latest version of operating software for its CR and DR platforms. Key capabilities of this new software include a security audit log that identifies users and imaging studies accessed; and the IHE Scheduled Workflow feature, which provides real-time status of imaging exams to a hospital or radiology information system (HIS/RIS). The scheduled workflow feature enhances productivity by eliminating the need for technologists to manually enter status information at a HIS or RIS workstation, and it allows a CR or DR system to automatically notify the PACS and RIS when a procedure is completed, which enables automatic billing to occur. 

The new version of software for the CR platform will be available worldwide in August and the new DR software will be available later this year.

About Kodak's Health Imaging Group

Kodak's Health Imaging Group is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing intelligent imaging products from analog to digital and in providing innovative medical-imaging services, including those to assist customers with interoperability and other needs. Its broad product portfolio includes computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems, laser imagers, picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), radiology information systems (RIS), traditional mammography systems, x-ray film systems for general radiography, and dental imaging products. Its services portfolio includes everything from basic repair and maintenance, to services encompassing equipment integration (from multiple vendors), storage and archiving, secure email – and more.      The group, with 2003 revenues of $2.43 billion, has served the global healthcare community for more than 100 years. The Health Imaging Group and Kodak's other major businesses – Graphic Communications Group; Commercial Imaging; Display & Components; and Digital & Film Imaging Systems – together are leading participants in infoimaging, a $385 billion industry created by the convergence of image-and-information technology. Infoimaging unites three closely related imaging markets that enable end users to more easily capture, process, print and share images and information: devices (such as Health Imaging's CR and DR systems), infrastructure (online networks and delivery systems for images, including PACS) and services & media (software, film and paper).

KODAK and DIRECTVIEW are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.

2004