Xiaozhou Ma MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Anand K.H. Singh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joseph Fay, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ibrahim E. Haboub, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dushyant V. Sahani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Researcher, General Electric Company

The purpose of this study is to compare the performance efficiency and technologists’ satisfaction with two different power injectors (PI) in an outpatient setting.

In the IRB approved prospective study, 275 outpatients (M: 133; F: 142) scheduled for CECT were randomized and scanned on either of the two 16- adjacently placed MDCT (GE) fitted with dual-syringe (Bracco) or syringe-less (CT Express III, Swiss Medical Care) PI. The equipment preparation time (CM, saline loading), releasing time (unloading of saline and CM), and CM wastage incurred for each PI were recorded by a single operator. The technologists’ satisfaction was rated on a 10-point scale. The statistical analysis was performed using student’s t-Test (Microsoft Access 2000).

Total 140 patients were performed using dual-syringe and 135 with syringe-less system. The equipment preparation time and releasing time per exam for dual-syringe and syringe-less PIs were 139±39, 32±14 seconds and 48±31, 8±3 seconds respectively (p< 0.001). Approximately 11mL CM wastage/exam was observed with dual-syringe and 0 mL for syringe-less PI (p<0.001). The technologist rated higher satisfaction with the use of syringe-less PI than the dual-syringe system (9.3 vs. 6.3; p<0.01). Due to improved efficiency, 2.6 additional patients per day were scanned in the room using syringe less PI.

The syringe-less power injector is more user friendly, improves the outpatient CT workflow, and allows 11 mL CM saving per exam over dual-syringe injector in average.

Syringe less PI allows simultaneous loading of 2 contrast medium bottles of 500mL and a 1000mL bag of saline therefore enabling scanning several patients after the initial set up.

Ma, X, Singh, A, Fay, J, Haboub, I, Sahani, D, Comparison of Dual-Syringe and Syringe-Less Power Injector in the Outpatient MDCT Practice: Impact on the Operator’s Performance, Work-flow, and Contrast Media Utilization.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8007029.html