G.P. referrals
Modern systems allow portable peripheral DEXA scanners to be taken to the GP surgery, clinic or hospital, therefore providing a service that:

Is convenient for the patient, easy access and no transport costs.

Reduces the waiting time for scanning appointments.

Increases practice based services and offers an alternative provider

Provides proactive, preventative medicine.

Can offer scanning to many more patients, and can be used to screen out those not requiring full DEXA scans.

The scanner can be placed in an examination room without special installation or radiation shielding, with a set-up time of approximately 30 minutes. Scan appointments are usually at 10-15 minute intervals that allows up to 25 patients to be seen per session. A computer programme controls the system; this produces an image of both radius and ulna, and the region for measurement is then automatically selected.
Results are provided as bone mineral content (BMC) in g/cm, and bone mineral density (BMD) in g/cm2. They are expressed as a standard deviation score in relation to the mean BMD of age and sex matched reference data (Z-score) and to the mean BMD of sex matched young adults peak bone mass, (T-score)

Peripheral scanners deliver a very low dose x-ray (effective dose 0.05 to 0.5µSv; natural background radiation is approximately 7mSv per day). However, there still must be compliance with appropriate radiation regulations.

Osteo-Scan North East offers:

A reliable form of bone density scanning.

An alternative private provider for densitometry.

A professional, confidential service carried out by a State Registered Radiographer.

Immediate results.

Osteoporosis scanning within the surgery may help you to meet other needs;

health improvement programmes within your locality.

reduction in current waiting times.

individual professional development needs.

future QOF requirements.

The service provides;

The scanning equipment, printer, consumables etc.

Computerised, easy to read reports at the end of each session.

Patient questionnaire, completed with the patient during the scan.

Statistics about your scanning results, e.g. what percentage are osteoporotic.

Up to 25 patients scanned in one session.

Can be a single session or at regular intervals.

Based at one surgery, or rotated sessions through the group, or taken to immobile patients.

Remember, if diagnosed early, osteoporosis can be treated.