Reliability and Customer Service Key to Injector Uptime and CT Department Workflow
Jenelle Isaacson, Contributing Editor
At NYU’s Langone Health, the two CT scanners on the main campus are used to perform about 140 patient exams a day—all in less than 12 hours. The radiology department uses Bracco’s EmpowerCTA@+ Injector System and has a been a Bracco customer for more than 15 years. They rely on the efficiency of the EmpowerCTA@+ system to support their high throughput department.
“It’s a 10 minute workflow,” said Cicil Chamakalayi, assistant director of CT, US and X-Ray Services for NYU Langone Health. “We need patients in and out of the room in that amount of time. So that’s loading the injector, getting the patient on the scanner, performing the scan, taking them off and cleaning the room. All within 10 minutes. Having equipment that is highly reliable is probably of the highest priority.”
The CT department at UCLA Health System provides 24-hour support and imaging for trauma patients. Lead CT technologist Amelia Patterson agrees with the importance of quick and reliable service in a busy department.
“When you’re in a facility where your equipment is used constantly, service is really important,” Patterson said. And when a device malfunctions, “we want the service to be done right away—whatever needs to be fixed—because we are a trauma center.”
When an issue arises, such an injector not communicating or loading properly, Patterson says the first step is to contact their service representative for assistance. They will troubleshoot the error message over the phone, and if necessary, schedule a prompt service visit. Patterson said their Bracco service reps are sensitive to the department’s full schedule, even if that means the technician must arrive before the earliest appointment of the day.
“They’re very flexible,” Patterson said. “We do have a lot of patients starting at 6:30, or even 6 a.m., but they manage to come to do the work.”
Bracco offers customers silver and gold level service agreement plans for their EmpowerCTA@+ devices. Depending on which level the customer chooses, this service agreement includes priority next day service, loaner equipment during downtimes, 24/7 call center support and annual maintenance.
“Knowing that we can call our service rep or our service engineer and have them come on site as soon as possible and have the piece of equipment back up and running next day, if not the same day, I think is vital to our workflow here,” Chamakalayi said.
Bracco service engineers also perform routine preventive maintenance to ensure devices are performing appropriately and to replace or repair any parts that may be wearing out due to normal use. The injectors are programmed to notify technicians via a pop-up alert when it’s time for routine service. A service engineer will then work to schedule the preventive maintenance for at a time that accommodates the department’s busy schedule. In most cases, the engineer will anticipate what specific elements will need replacement and will come prepared with the appropriate parts.
“They’ll run the machine through some tests and they’ll replace parts that need to get replaced,” said Bernard Assadourian, CT quality and safety manager at NYU Langone Health. “As far as the service people, they’ve been really reliable. They listen when we have a problem. And they’re knowledgeable about what they’re doing.“
Through 2019, Bracco’s contract services had an uptime of 99.2%. “The product is reliable; we rarely call for service,” said Mabel Okyere, Lead CT Technologist for NYU Langone Health. “The last six months or a year, we’ve called once or twice. That’s very good because we use it a lot.” When they do need to call, the service reps are readily accessible and reliable.
“We have a really personal relationship with them,” Okyere said. “We call them and they respond to you right away.”
Bracco’s commitment to quality service recently earned them the NorthFace ScoreBoard award for excellence in customer service, as rated by their customers. The award, from the Customer Relationship Management Institute (CRMI) and Market Intelligence International (Marketii), measures customer satisfaction with services on a 5-point scale (or an equivalent rating system) in such categories as technical support, field service, customer service, account management, professional services and other customer facing functions. Bracco’s injector service achieved a 4.0 or above out of a possible 5.0 or an equivalent rating system over the entire year.
“Service is excellent; no question about that,” Patterson said. “I’ve seen a lot of reps and specialists come from Bracco. It’s a good company. Good people.”
Click here to find your local Bracco representative.
*Platinum Service exclusive to New York/Metro area.
†Priority next business day delivery.
‡Next business day delivery if call-in is received by 3pm Central Time.
§Includes Acts of God.
The views, information, or opinions expressed in the video(s) or article(s) above are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (“BDI”). The primary purpose of this video(s) or article(s) is to educate and inform. This information does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION | INDICATIONS AND USAGE
EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
INDICATIONS:
The EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System is indicated for the vascular administration of contrast and flushing media in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) scanning of the body with an optional interface to a CT scanner and an optional calculator for glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
INDICATIONS AND USAGE | IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
INDICATIONS:
The EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System is indicated for the vascular administration of contrast and flushing media in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) scanning of the body with an optional interface to a CT scanner and an optional calculator for glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Protocols have been independently developed and are not intended as medical advice. Bracco and Bracco Injeneering S.A. shall not be responsible for any physicians’ reliance on these or any other products.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
The EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System is not intended for use as a long-term infusion pump, nor is it intended to be used to inject any agents other than contrast or flushing media. Do not attempt to use the injector for any other purpose (such as chemotherapy or drug infusion). The EmpowerCTA+ Injector System should not be used to inject substances into nonvascular body cavities. Any applications of the EmpowerCTA+ Injector System other than those described in its Operator Manual are inappropriate and should not be attempted.
Not all products are available in all global markets.
EmpowerCTA+ is distributed by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; 510 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton, NJ 08540 USA; Phone: (800) 631-5245; Fax: (609) 514-2424; Customer Service: 1-877-BRACCO 9 (1-877-272-2269); Scientific Information: 1-800-257-5181 (Option 2); EmpowerCTA+ Email: empowerinfo@diag.bracco.com; Website: https://smartinject.com/ct-solutions/
EmpowerCTA+ is manufactured by Bracco Injeneering S.A., Avenue de Sevelin 46, CH – 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. https://www.bracco.com/
EmpowerMR® Injector System
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
INDICATIONS:
The EmpowerMR® Injector System is indicated for vascular administration of contrast media and flushing media in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Protocols have been independently developed and are not intended as medical advice, and Bracco shall not be responsible for any physicians' reliance on these or any other protocols.
Bracco Injeneering S.A. reserves the right at any time and without notice, to change the specifications and features described herein, or to change the production or adjust the product described.
Not all products are available in all global markets.
EmpowerMR is distributed by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; 510 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton, NJ 08540 USA; Phone: (800) 631-5245; Fax: (609) 514-2424; Customer Service: 1-877-BRACCO 9 (1-877-272-2269); Scientific Information: 1-800-257-5181 (Option 2); Website: https://smartinject.com/mr-solutions/
EmpowerMR is manufactured for Bracco Injeneering S.A., Avenue de Sevelin 46 CH – 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. https://www.bracco.com/
NEXO® Contrast Management System
Intended Use:
The NEXO® Contrast Management System is a server-based application intended to be used as a data management and visualization system. The NEXO Contrast Management System can read, store, share, compare/relate, as well as graphically display data and injection programs coming from RIS, PACS, and multiple enabled EmpowerCTA® Injector Systems. This device provides users with record lists, graphics, and reports about data and performances.
This device is intended for retrospective and statistical data management and visualization. It is not intended for real-time data visualization, diagnostic applications, or for any other use for which the device is not indicated. This device is only to be operated by and under quasi-continuous supervision of qualified and trained staff in an appropriately licensed healthcare facility.
The NEXO Contrast Management System is compatible with the EmpowerCTA Injector System version 8.0, and EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System version 10.0 and higher.
Not all products are available in all global markets.
NEXO is distributed by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; 510 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton, NJ 08540 USA; Phone: (800) 631-5245; Fax: (609) 514-2424; NEXO Customer Service: 1-877-BRACCO 9 (1-877-272-2269); NEXO questions: Nexo.Answers@diag.bracco.com; NEXO U.S. Technical Service and Support: Phone: 888-670-7701; Fax: 609-514-2448; NEXO Email: customer.support@acistmedical.com; Website: https://smartinject.com/digital-solutions
NEXO is manufactured by ACIST Medical Systems, 7905 Full Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 USA.
About Bracco Injeneering S.A.
Bracco Injeneering S.A., located in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the most recently added Business Unit of Bracco Imaging. Bracco Injeneering is committed to developing the best-in-class, integrated injection solutions with a strong heritage in research and innovation. It provides quality solutions for state-of-the-art radiology centers, offering proven injection technology, built on Bracco Imaging’s expertise.
Thanks to this strengthened product portfolio, including the EmpowerCTA®+ Injector System and EmpowerMR Injector System Bracco Imaging will be able to focus on constant innovation, not only for devices but also for software development and data management.
EmpowerCTA, EmpowerMR, NEXO, and IRiSMR are registered trademarks of ACIST Medical Systems, Inc.
FastLoad is a trademark of ACIST Medical Systems, Inc.
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3™ (the Bracco-branded Max 3™, a Rapid Exchange and Syringeless MR Injector System) is distributed by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
Indications for use
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 is a contrast media (CM) management system that is indicated for the controlled, automatic administration, on the venous side, of contrast media and saline (NaCl), to human subjects undergoing diagnostic examinations in magnetic resonance (MR) applications.
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 (XD 10180) is specifically indicated for use in MRI procedures for the delivery of VUEWAY® (gadopiclenol) solution for injection – Bracco Diagnostics Inc., MultiHance® (gadobenate dimeglumine) injection – Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Clariscan™ (gadoterate meglumine) injection – GE Healthcare Inc., DOTAREM®(gadoterate meglumine) Injection – Guerbet, LLC, Gadavist® (gadobutrol) injection – Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Gadobutrol Injection – Fresenius Kabi AG, contrast media as supplied in approved single dose vials and Gadavist (gadobutrol) Injection – Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Gadobutrol Injection – Fresenius Kabi AG, contrast media as supplied in approved Imaging Bulk Packages (IBPs).
The ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 is not intended for injection of contrast media for high-pressure angiography.
Easy-Click-Cassette – flex Max 3 is used for a maximum time of twenty-four (24) hours or a maximum of 96 bottles of contrast media, whichever comes first.
Use time expiration per single dose contrast media container is a maximum of four (4) hours per contrast media container, unless otherwise stated by the contrast media labeling.
Use time expiration per IBP contrast media container is a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours per contrast media container, unless otherwise stated by the contrast media labeling.
Spike for MRI disposable is for single-bottle use only and must be discarded with the media container. The Patient tubing must be discarded after each patient procedure.
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 (XD 10180) is to be used only by and under quasi-continuous supervision of trained healthcare professionals in an appropriate licensed healthcare facility, in a room designated for radiological procedures that involve intravascular administration of contrast agent.
Contraindications
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 injectors are not intended for the administration of contrast medium during high-pressure angiography or other applications that do not comply with the intended use.
The injector is not protected against the effects of defibrillation. Before a defibrillator is used, the patient must be disconnected from the ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 injector.
Do not add any disposables (i.e. connector tubing or valves) to the ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 with the patient tubing that are not provided by ulrich medical. No valves or other connectors may be placed in-line between the patient tubing and the patient cannula. The disposables identified in this IFU are designed, manufactured, and tested for connection with cannulas for pressure injections.
Do not use ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 injectors with any other contrast media (other than those described in the IFU). Any other contrast media are inappropriate and should not be used. Do not operate the injector and terminal, including any accessories, in potentially explosive atmospheres or in the vicinity of combustible materials (especially anesthetic drugs, detergents, and oxygen-enriched environments).
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 is manufactured by ulrich GmbH & Co. KG.
ulrich medical is a registered trademark of ulrich GmbH & Co. KG.
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 is a trademark of ulrich GmbH & Co. KG.
ulricheasyINJECT Max 3 is distributed as the Bracco-branded Max 3, a Rapid Exchange and Syringeless MR Injector System, by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; 510 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton, NJ 08540 USA; Phone: (800) 631-5245; Fax: (609) 514-2424; Customer Service: 1-877-BRACCO 9 (1-877-272-2269); Scientific Information: 1-800-257-5181(Option 2); Website: https://smartinject.com/max3/
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.