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Primary Care
The measurement of bone mineral density at the forearm is a well-validated technique and has been around for many years. 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 to secondary care.
- Provides proactive, preventative medicine.
- Can offer scanning to many more patients
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-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.
Southern Osteo Scanning offers,
- A reliable form of bone density scanning
- An alternative private provider for densitometry.
- A professional service carried out by a State Registered Radiographer with over 12 years experience in osteoporosis scanning, more than 25,000 patients scanned.
- Immediate results.
NOS position on peripheral scanning...
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
What 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.
Scanning sessions,
- 25 patients scanned in one daily session
- Can be a single session or at regular intervals
- Based at one surgery, or rotated sessions through the group
