FCR system in Hokkaido University Hospital

The complete digital x-ray system using FCR is now being used in daily diagnosis as a part of the picture archiving and communications system (PACS) in Hokkaido University (HU) Hospital. This project is based on a 3-year plan started in 1988. In the first year (1988), six Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) units (two FCR501, one FCR502, three FCR7000), PACS interfaces, and an optical disk system were installed. In the first year, about 60% of x-ray filming changed from the conventional technique to the FCR, and 60% of FCR images were transferred to PACS. In the second year, we began to use FCR in gastrointestinal (GI) study with two additional FCR7000s and three x-ray TV units. Then the percentage of plain films made by FCR increased to 80%. In the third year, angiographic studies will be converted to FCR. A specially designed built-in type FCR is under development to examine the entire spine. When this project is complete, almost all conventional radiography except chest tomography will be performed by FCR. The tomography x-ray computed radiography (CR) unit with automatic-imaging plate (IP) changer is expected to be developed soon.