Lake Imaging expands Digital Radiology network

Lake Imaging, the first client to adopt the Pro Medicus Limited (ASX:PME) digital radiology technology, has achieved productivity improvements significantly greater than original expectations and is now introducing the technology to two more of its practices.

Lake, a leading radiology provider based in Ballarat in Western Victoria, has converted its busy Melton site in Melbourne's Western growth corridor to a fully digital environment utilising the full suite of Pro Medicus Digital Integration technology. The deal, which includes a satellite location in Baccus Marsh, brings to four the number of Lake Imaging practices that are now fully digital. This expansion follows the practice's success in setting up Australia's first fully private digital radiology practice in late 2002.

"We had high expectations for the digital integration technology when we introduced it 18 months ago," said Lake Imaging partner John Livingston, "and there is little doubt it has well and truly exceeded those expectations. Our biggest costs, like all other radiology practices, are the salaries of professional staff and the high capital cost of equipment and we have seen efficiency gains of around 30% in the effective utilisation of both of these valuable resources. This has had a significant impact on the bottom line of the practice and has provided us with a reproducible model that we have now rolled out to two more practices."

The system, in addition to speeding up all steps of the radiology process, provides many clinical benefits compared to a traditional analogue film based environment. The moment a patient presents to the front desk their previous scans and results are automatically retrieved from the archive and sent to the doctor's workstation, allowing the radiologist to readily compare old and new examinations to assess the degree of any change. Patients are no longer required to bring their past examinations with them.

Radiologists are able to use a vast array of techniques based on the latest in digital technology to assist in the diagnostic process. These can vary from enhancing and zooming in on certain areas of concern to creating complex three dimensional images to assist their referrers visualize a lesion and its relation to the surrounding anatomy. These images can be electronically delivered back to the referring doctor, which gives Lake Imaging a distinct competitive advantage over other radiology practitioners in the area.

"Lake Imaging were the trailblazers, but others are now starting to follow as the benefits of digital radiology are being fully recognised," said Pro Medicus managing director Dr Sam Hupert. "Having a key reference site such as Lake where we can showcase our technology to other potential clients has recently helped us win major digital contracts in both the private and public sectors. It is also helping us attract increased interest from some of the large radiology providers who can now see first-hand the efficiencies and cost savings that our technology can deliver."

According to John Livingston of Lake imaging, "Having worked in a film based environment for many years, I can't image why anyone would not opt for this digital solution when it delivers so many tangible benefits. Based on our success at Lake, we are now looking for further opportunities to expand our group as we believe we have developed, in conjunction with our digital imaging partners, a business model that gives us a significant strategic advantage. "

For more information:

Dr Sam Hupert Managing Director Pro Medicus Limited	Mike Feehan Monsoon Communications Phone: + 61 3 9620 3333
Email: hupert@promedicus.com.au Phone: +61 3 9429 8800 Facsimile: +61 3 9429 9544