Connections4Health, a Dorset-based private healthcare company offering MRI diagnostic support, has become the first provider in the South of England to use Esaote’s O-Scan machine to enable fast diagnosis for patients in NHS primary care, sports clubs, and the private sector.
The O-Scan’s compact technology and simple user interface provide radiologists working alongside operators such as Connections4Health with instant access to high quality and images via secure software.
These qualities appealed to Dr Mufeed Ni’Man, a GP with an interest in orthopaedics, who set up Connections4Health with his business partner, Christopher Hughes, 18 months ago. He said: “We chose O-Scan because it scored the highest in terms of its combination of cost, flexibility, portability and image quality, compared to the other machines we researched. We purchased it on the condition that the radiologists we work with would endorse its use. Radiologists are happy to receive images using O-Scan, especially with the new software built in, because the image quality is particularly good.”
O-Scan is a space-saving, easy-to-install and easy-to-use scanner which is custom designed for physicians to scan a patient in situ. Its interface and protocols are designed for MRI imaging of the body’s extremities to help speed up and simplify the examination procedure. Captured images can be quickly and easily shared with specialists as required. The product also features a fully-adjustable chair system for patient comfort and flexibility of scanning, and represents a ‘green’ option energy-wise, costing 90% less to run than whole-body MRI units.
Dr Ni’man said: “The cost and design of the O-Scan worked well for us with our relatively small clinic size. For the patients, the O-Scan experience is far less stressful than a conventional MRI, and we’ve had great feedback from those who feared being put in a very loud tube. The quiet aspect means we can talk to them throughout the scan, and many have been so relaxed, they’ve actually fallen asleep.”
Hughes added: “Connections4Health is situated in one of the top 1% of deprived areas in England, so this is an area under pressure. Every saving we can create in terms of time and money helps. We see ourselves as solution providers because early diagnosis can reduce waiting times, shorten waiting lists for secondary care and prevent acute conditions from becoming chronic. Plus we can help cut unplanned A&E admissions, as well as the cost of analgesia and other medication required while patients wait for diagnosis and treatment. Nobody else is offering this in the South of England yet.”
The Dorset-based firm has a contract with a local NHS trust, and also treats private patients. In addition, it provides support for Bournemouth Football Club and Bournemouth Rugby Club.
