In conjunction with our May 2009 DXA report in DOTmed Business News, we polled medical equipment and service companies about how to ensure that DXA units operative efficiently.

We asked about the common problems in this equipment and whether those can be mitigated by preventive maintenance (PM).

Here are some of the DOTmed users' comments. Please add to the thread of suggestions by posting your comments at the end of the story.
"Most DEXA systems are actually affected by ambient electronic noise and heavy vibrations, otherwise if a system is refurbished properly, and the correct PM measures are taken, it will last for a very long time."
--Leon Gugel, Metropolis International, Long Island City, NY

"Common problems include HV tank failure, SBC/SBCe Board malfunction, tube/detector failure, and workstation malfunction/failure. PM replacement could be possible but not likely to be cost effective. Things like archiving and software upgrades would help in the event of system malfunction."
--Krista Kotrla, Block Imaging International, Inc., Lansing, MI

"Common problems are [usually] preventable, therefore PMs are a necessity. I consider normal wear and tear preventable, for the simple fact that if found during an annual PM the unit would remain operable and not result in a loss of revenue. However, high voltage power supplies, Xray tubes, and detectors or PMT are usage issues and, not preventable.
--Jailyn Primus, Xray service, Ft Myers, FL

"These are resilient pieces of equipment. Other than the odd detector going bad, the most common problems concern the tube or the power source."
--Patrick Doylem Medical Exporters, Inc, Seymour, TN

"Common problems include tubes, detectors, and high-voltage generators. PM procedures will not enhance reliability or performance of these. One OEM has an online utility for PM procedures."
--Desmond Johnson, DEXAScanners, Inc., Lebanon, TN

"One common problem is failure of the sensor or touch screen and those failures cannot be prevented by PM."
--Alan Keim, Lone Oak Medical Technologies, Doylestown, PA

"X-ray sources and detectors are the main problems. I don't think preventive maintenance helps reduce these problems. They only have so long of a shelf life before they will go bad."
--Mark Schiferl, Schiferl System Resources Inc., Jefferson, WI

Keep the dialogue going; post your comments below.

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