Sectra and Siemens Healthineers partner to improve CT workflows
Medical technology companies Sectra and Siemens Healthineers are partnering to improve radiology workflows related to photon-counting CT imaging.
The duo announced the collaboration Feb. 24, stating that the partnership will enable radiologists to more seamlessly access and post-process images acquired on Siemens Healthineers’ NAEOTOM Alpha class photon-counting CT (PCCT) scanners, which previously required providers to switch back and forth between applications and workstations.
These CT scanners offer higher spatial resolution at lower radiation doses, granting a detailed look at different types of tissues. However, radiologists previously were only able to view the images at specific scanner workstations using Siemens Healthineers’ enterprise reading and reporting solution. This has presented workflow hiccups for providers tasked with interpreting the spatial information contained in the PCCT exams.
The partnership will address this issue by integrating Sectra’s PACS solutions into the PCCT scanners. This will allow readers to view and post-process PCCT exams from any workstation. Given the growing utilization and promise of photon-counting technology, there is a need for optimized workflows for the radiologists who interpret the exams.
In a news release on the collaboration, Sectra President and CEO Torbjörn Kronander expressed optimism for how the partnership will improve both workflows and patient care.
“Radiologists need access to all relevant images and tools in one application to work efficiently and make informed decisions. With increasing workloads and a shortage of radiologists, efficient workflows have never been more critical,” Kronander said. “Despite sometimes competing, both Sectra and Siemens Healthineers believe that the end user workflow is what drives us the most. This cooperation is valuable for radiologists as well as patients. We also think that integrating and collaborating with each other will speed up clinical adoption of new technologies in healthcare as well as reduce the enormous workload in hospitals.”
“The partnership with Sectra will ensure that advanced interactive spectral capability can be seamlessly accessible within radiologists’ existing workflows on Sectra PACS, without adding data management complexities," said Nena Stephan, project lead of clinical insights and automation at Siemens Healthineers. "Ultimately, this leads to faster and more accurate diagnoses, resulting in improved outcomes and better care for patients globally,” Stephan added later.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.