Digital imaging gives high-tech benefits
By Frederick R. Fischer

It seems as though all the world’s going digital — digital television, digital cameras, even digital x-ray.

Chances are that your local hospital, radiology clinic, and dentist are no longer using x-ray film. They are taking digital radiographs.

Why not you, too?

Remember the line from the movie Moonstruck, “If you want to save money, you have to spend money.” Digital imaging works something like that. The difference is that some practices will actually pay for digital imaging from reduced expenses while others will have to content themselves with beneficial intangibles.

How can you tell which practice yours is? Do the numbers:

1. Figure the cost for using x-ray film, chemistry, and a darkroom with processor. Include the cost of film storage, duplication, and retrieval. For most chiropractors, the cost is about $4 per film.

2. Since there is no per exposure cost associated with digital imaging, multiply the number of films you take per month by $4 to calculate your monthly savings.

3. Compare that amount to the lease or finance payment for the digital system. The result shows if digital imaging is a money-making or a money-spending proposition for your practice.

INTANGIBLE BENEFITS

If your answer is “money maker,” you are able to shut down your messy darkroom and enjoy not only increased income, but all of the other benefits associated with digital imaging.

But what should you do if your film and chemistry expenses do not equal your monthly payment? Don’t despair. Digital imaging may still be for you.

You may need to lower your expectations. The sidebar shows the four types of digital imaging systems. They range in price from under $35,000 to well over $100,000. All systems take good x-rays. After all, they are medical equipment regulated by the FDA, but some are more automatic than others, and some are more ergonomic than others.

Buying digital imaging equipment is like buying an automobile. We’d all like to drive the most expensive foreign sports car, but many of us wind up at our Chevrolet dealer.

Depending upon the needs of your practice, you may find that the least expensive system will open the door to digital imaging for you. It operates much like a scanner. All of the other benefits follow simply from being digital.

You may decide that the advantages of digital imaging are worth paying for — and you might be right.

In addition to allowing you to close down your messy darkroom with its associated inconveniences, such as processor maintenance and used chemical disposal, digital imaging offers other benefits.

• Image enhancement. Unlike film, digital images may be enhanced to bring out all of the diagnostic detail. They can be magnified, inverted (white and black instead of black and white), edge enhanced, and contrast enhanced. Specific areas of density can be brought out by window leveling. Especially valuable to chiropractors is the availability of on-screen measuring tools.

• Patient education. Digital images are unsurpassed for patient education. Many of the same tools that you use for diagnosis can be used to help the patient understand the treatment plan. Also, you can use colorization — showing each density in a different color rather than as a shade of gray — to make the x-rays easier for the patient to understand.

You can easily burn a CD and give patients their own x-rays.

• Up-to-date practice. Digital imaging has tremendous “wow” factors. It really makes your practice look up-to-date.

• Consultation. Want to consult with a colleague? E-mail a digital image rather than “snail mail” a duplicate film.

• Easy access. Since the radiographs are stored on the computer you will no longer have to search through inconvenient x-ray files to find the image you want.

So even if the digital system does not pay for itself, you may find that the intangibles are worth paying for.

• Tax reduction. Finally, let’s not forget Uncle Sam. In tax year 2006, IRS Sec. 179 allows the one year depreciation of qualifying capital equipment up to $106,000. That could result in a significant tax reduction and help justify the cost of the digital system.

Technology has a life of its own. It’s safe to say that eventually film and chemistry will be replaced by digital systems. It’s not a matter of if, but when. So get your feet wet and check out the digital systems at the next convention that you attend.

You may find that they make economic sense for your practice and help distinguish you from the competition. After all, you don’t want to be left on shore while all of your friends are in the lake.

Sidebar:
Types of digital imaging systems available to you

Frederick R. Fischer is vice president of AllPro Imaging, Inc. (www.allproimaging.com), a U.S. manufacturer of x-ray equipment for the medical profession. He can be contacted at 621-434-6658, ext. 103.