Expanding Urgent Care Group Implements Viztek PACS, DR and Low Dose Imaging Solutions

RALEIGH, NC--(Marketwired - Oct 28, 2014) - Viztek, the leading provider of complete digital software and hardware diagnostic imaging solutions, has announced that ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, the leading provider of world-class urgent medical care, is outfitting its existing network of ten urgent care centers with the Viztek Ultra DR U-Arm System and the web-based Opal-RAD PACS. As urgent care centers are proving to be more cost effective than emergency department (ED) visits for a number of medical issues, ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care is adding high quality and efficient imaging solutions to enable its clinicians to provide the best care.

The physician-owned and -led operation is expanding to ten centers in New England in response to skyrocketing medical costs of Emergency Department (ED) visits and health reform changes. On a mission to provide high quality care in a safe, convenient and cost-effective environment, Marcus J. Hampers, MD, MBA, CEO of ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, selected Viztek to equip the company's centers with advanced imaging solutions leveraging the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

"Having practiced emergency medicine in Vermont and New Hampshire for more than 20 years, it is staggering to see the costs of caring for these patients in the ED -- which can be nearly ten times the cost possible in an outpatient setting like ours," he said. "When factoring in the right mix of imaging solutions, such as the PACS, DR and low dose software we have implemented from Viztek, we get significant efficiency and added care benefits beyond offering lower costs."

The visionary care delivery model of ClearChoiceMD boasts high-end technology in efficient, easy-to-access treatment facilities. ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care has implemented the following Viztek solutions:

• Opal PACS, a suite of radiology tools to achieve a fully integrated patient database, imaging and communications system. Features for maximum efficiency include web-based CD burning with DICOM printing and routing functionality, allowing patients to take their images with them when they go, and tools for teleradiology interpretation across the country within 30 minutes.

• Ultra DR, a direct radiography technology that provides superior image quality via flat-panel detectors paired with the feature-rich Ultra acquire software. The U-Arm features user-friendly controls that operate dual speed motorized movements, while the intuitive anti-collision system makes patient positioning quick, easy, and safe.

• Viztek's pediatric imaging software package, which uses the latest technology to reduce radiation dose in children, including a built-in date range feature that brings dose awareness to the operator to adjust settings, as needed.
  
  

"Our adherence to American College of Radiology recommendations for providing the lowest dose possible, especially for children, is critical to assuring we provide the best care," Dr. Hampers added. "As a complement to the Viztek DR, we are able to utilize their pediatric dose software that allows us to 'image gently,' while simultaneously benefiting from the ease-of-operation and small footprint required in the urgent care setting."

"ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care has been a tremendous partner, and the entire Viztek team looks forward to supporting the growth of the practice as they expand their top-of-the-line urgent care services across the U.S.," said Bruce Ashby, general manager, Viztek. "The synergistic capabilities of Viztek's DR and PACS deliver a perfect solution for the type of care centers that need to produce quick, quality results."

ClearChoiceMD's vision for urgent care is national in context. What is currently working in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine has promise in the Midwest and West Coast as reform -- and insurers -- seek to curb unnecessary and pricey hospital ED visits, a less costly model to urgent care would be total win across the board.

About Viztek

Viztek is a leading provider of complete digital software and hardware imaging solutions, backed by comprehensive training and support for the hospital and private practice markets. The company provides state-of-the-art, web-based Opal-RAD PACS and RIS, delivering advanced connectivity and functionality at an affordable price. The PACS and RIS solutions are complemented by Viztek's comprehensive line of CR and DR solutions, with DR panels that come in multiple configurations ranging from retrofit packages to complete new radiology rooms and mobile solutions. For more information, visit www.viztek.net.