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Busy Urgent Care Clinics: Do You Need Better X-Ray Machines?

by Hector Holland

If you operate an urgent care clinic in your community, you may use an X-ray machine to diagnose your patients. But if your patient load is heavy throughout the day or evening, your X-ray machine may not be sufficient to examine every patient that enters your clinic. In this case, you may want to invest in better radiology (X-ray) equipment. Learn why you need better X-ray machines and how to obtain them below.

How Does One X-Ray Machine Affect Your Clinic? 

Your X-ray machine helps you determine whether or not your patients have non-threatening conditions or illnesses you can treat in your clinic right away or if you need to refer your patients to an emergency room for advanced medical care. But if your patients have to wait in line to use your X-ray machine or room, you won't be able to diagnose them in a timely manner. The patients may suffer lifelong health problems as a result. 

To combat the issues above, you may want to invest in X-ray machines you can use anywhere in your clinic, such as portable and mobile radiology machines.

What Types of X-Ray Machines Should You Use?

Traditional X-ray machines can be too large and cumbersome to transport throughout clinics. The machines also emit high amounts of radioactive substances, which can be dangerous to patients and medical personnel. Portable X-ray machines and mobile X-ray machines eliminate both issues above for you.

Portable machines generally come in small easy-to-carry cases that look similar to traditional laptop bags. The equipment allows you to x-ray patients in your examination rooms and other private areas of the clinic. Because the machines emit very little radiation, you generally don't need to use shields or covers to keep patients and staff safe. 

Mobile X-ray machines are a bit larger than portable X-ray machines. The machines generally come with wheels you can use to transport them around your clinic. Some mobile X-ray machines also come with transformers and other features that help them perform well in urgent care settings.

Unlike portable X-ray machines, mobile machines do require some type of shield to work efficiently, such as mobile radiation shields. You may want to purchase shields in various strengths to accommodate the needs of your clinic.

If you want to replace your current X-ray machine with portable and mobile radiology equipment, contact a radiology equipment supplier or medical company in your area today. 

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