Home » About Us » Quality of Care » Technology

Technology

In 2004, Catholic Health and Siemens Medical Solutions announced a 10-year, $100 million strategic alliance that will raise the bar for healthcare delivery in Western New York and make Catholic Health a showcase for innovative medical technology. Critical to this alliance is Siemens’ unique ability to help Catholic Health develop a truly integrated electronic health record.

The alliance includes the following cutting-edge Siemens healthcare information technology (IT) solutions and medical imaging technology:

Soarian®

Soarian is Siemens new generation health information solution, which integrates clinical, financial, diagnostic and administrative processes to support patient-centered care. The solution is distinguished by three innovative characteristics: it is workflow-engineered to synchronize processes across the health enterprise; its smart user interface is designed to accommodate tasks based on the roles of individual users; and it has embedded analytics that empower users to pro-actively monitor and measure an enterprise’s performance, and then act on those conclusions. Soarian® helps facilitate more informed decision making – leading to improved care delivery, increased staff satisfaction, and more efficient business practices.

SIENET® PACS

In a picture archiving and communications system (PACS), digital images are stored on computer memory and can be retrieved in seconds. This reduces the time between exam and therapy, and has the potential to impact the overall length of hospital stay. With digital imaging, doctors can immediately look up a patient's new and past images on a PC, instead of waiting for films to be de-archived from a shelf and delivered. In addition, a doctor can electronically transmit a digital X-ray or other images to a hospital or clinic anywhere in the world. The most widely installed PACS in the world, Siemens SIENET® PACS supports the ability to diagnose across various modalities and lab systems. Siemens goal is continuous efficiency as well as quality improvements for its customers as the result of maximum modularity, minimal interface losses, and the highest degree of synergy in networking with overall medical and administrative workflows.

MAGNETOM Avanto MR system

The MAGNETOM Avanto magnetic resonance (MR) system is Siemens newest 1.5 Tesla MR, and the first product to incorporate the revolutionary Total imaging matrix (Tim™) technology. Tim™ is the first whole body surface coil design to seamlessly combine up to 76 coil elements and 32 RF channels [76x32], allowing the user to select exams, not coils, and provides the highest acquisition speed without image artifacts or restrictions in coverage. The coils are light-weight and comfortable for the patient, e.g. the Body Matrix coil weighs less than two pounds. Image quality is increased by up to 100 percent signal-to-noise ratio. The Avanto’s Tim™ technology means that patient repositioning and manual coil changes are virtually eliminated during exams, enabling full body imaging in a single exam. The MAGNETOM Avanto offers seamless metastasis evaluation, whole CNS imaging and visualization of vascular diseases. It also features Siemens unique iPAT (integrated Parallel Acquisition Technique) that provides fast image acquisition with parallel imaging in all dimensions, including head to toe, front to back, and side to side.

SOMATOM Sensation 10 CT system

The SOMATOM Sensation 10 computed tomography (CT) combines high-quality imaging with ease of use to help the physician improve patient care and allow for advanced CT applications, including trauma imaging, whole body organ imaging, cardiac and coronary CTA, and neurological examinations. The system’s speed (capable of acquiring 20 sub-millimeter slices per second) can decrease exam time, which can translate into improved comfort for the patient. Also, CARE Dose technology on the SOMATOM Sensation 10 reduces CT dosage up to an additional 20 to 56 percent* compared with previous generation CTs or other approaches. Powered by the Leonardo workstation, which is built upon a modular syngo® concept, the system allows users to configure their workstation to be a dedicated workplace for orthopedics, surgery, angiography or other clinical modalities. *Results May Vary. Data on File.

 e.cam™ SPECT system

The e.cam™ Signature Series continues to raise the bar in Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging with innovative technological advancements that optimize clinical outcomes and efficiency, while enhancing the patient’s experience. The system’s High-Definition Dynamic Digital Detectors (HD4) deliver unmatched image quality and reliability. The e.cam also offers cardiac and general Flash 3D, advanced SPECT image reconstruction technology that provides improved outcomes for the clinician, including increased image contrast, reduced image noise, superior lesion detection, and enhanced diagnostic confidence. In addition, the system incorporates ultra-fast patient setup for improved patient throughput.

AXIOM Aristos Digital X-ray system

The AXIOM Aristos digital X-ray system is used for routine, trauma and orthopedic exams. With the Aristos MX, these routine exams are largely automated, optimizing workflow and increasing patient throughput. With an automated system operation, the need for transportation and loading of cassettes is eliminated. The optimized workflow can prevent patient wait time, and the automated operation speeds exam time – both resulting in improved patient satisfaction.

AXIOM Sireskop SD Fluoroscopy system

With AXIOM Sireskop SD, developers have fused innovative information technology with cutting-edge medical technology to transform this fluoroscopy system from a stand-alone solution into an integral part of the radiology department. Available for universal applications, the AXIOM Sireskop SD under-table system offers immediate, easy access to all relevant information, virtually anytime, anywhere. The system’s efficiency and workflow capabilities allow clinicians to concentrate on what really matters – the patient.

AXIOM Artis FA

The AXIOM Artis FA is a universal floor-mounted angiographic C-arm system with a flexible system architecture that is ideal for supporting vascular and non-vascular diagnostics and interventions, offering up to 30 images per second for exams such as abdominal diagnostics and interventions as well as neuro and cardiac applications. It provides complete ergonomic system operation in both the examination room and control room. With connectivity to the overall hospital data management system, the AXIOM Artis FA features a Multimodality Display for viewing of CT and MR images in the examination room, along with the angiography images. This reduces examination times, a noticeable advantage for both physician and patient.

AXIOM Artis dTC

The AXIOM Artis dTC is a fully digital ceiling mounted cardiac imaging system equipped with innovative flat-panel detector (FD) technology. The system provides the speed, flexibility, and integration needed for cardiology procedures, with a unique design for accessibility to the patient. During interventions, virtually all anatomical regions are within easy reach and system functions can be performed via the tableside touch screen display. A multi-modality display enables access to additional data from ultrasound, CT, or MR images. Designed to optimize workflow from patient preparation to diagnosis and therapy, the AXIOM Artis dTC connects the cath lab as an integral part of the hospital’s cardiology or electrophysiology departments.

ACUSON Sequoia™ Ultrasound System

The ACUSON Sequoia™ ultra-premium platform – the best-selling ultrasound platform in the U.S. for the past six years according to Klein Biomedical Consultants – provides physicians with clear, sharp ultrasound images at a high resolution that has never been achieved before. The system incorporates a collection of workflow and imaging performance advancements that impact ultrasound exam efficiency by providing performance improvements new to ultrasound exam procedures.

The Sequoia’s recent Paragon release includes expansion of the company’s revolutionary TEQ™ ultrasound technology. In addition to fully optimizing an image in two dimensions, TEQ™ now offers instant, one-button optimization for spectral Doppler imaging, and reduces the time spent optimizing image parameters during exams by up to 95 percent. TEQ™ ultrasound technology for 2D imaging and Spectral Doppler utilizes patient-specific information to compensate for patient-to-patient variables, or different body habitus. Additionally, the Sequoia matched response technology measures and adapts in real-time to a patient’s individual acoustic properties for heightened clinical specificity.