Agfa inks Brazilian digital imaging deal

Agfa HealthCare, has signed an agreement with Brazil’s Fundação Instituto de Pesquisa e Estudo de Diagnóstico por Imagen for the delivery and installation of its digital imaging and healthcare IT solutions across the facility’s 25 sites.

The agreement was signed in Brazil the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Filip of Belgium. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

In total the agreement covers the installation of computed radiography systems for converting analogue diagnostic images to digital formats, the company’s picture archiving and communication system Impax for managing and distributing diagnostic images and information, a radiology information system enabling radiologists to electronically manage end-to-end operations, and a central imaging repository solution to centralize all image-related information across 25 sites.

IDI Foundation is one of Brazil’s largest diagnostic imaging groups. The facility’s 25 locations across Sao Paolo in Brazil manage around 3 million diagnostic imaging exams, from 90 modalities each year.

The foundation is recognized as a public utility, private, philanthropic and non-profit organisation. IDI Foundation employs around 200 radiologists and 1000 staff members, including administrative workers, IT and radiology technicians.

IDI Foundation is also a key service provider to the department of Health of the State of São Paulo and also to the Department of Health of the Municipality of São Paulo.

Agfa HealthCare was awarded the contract after a Request for Proposal (RfP) was issued by the foundation, inviting several providers to compete for the tender. The project will be completed by early 2011 and implementation of the new solutions will occur in three phases.

"Agfa HealthCare went to great lengths to analyze our requirements, discuss the options and present a viable solution to meet our needs" said Prof Dr Nitamar Abdala, director at IDI Foundation.

Agfa HealthCare launched a Brazilian, Portuguese language, version of its IMPAX system in 2006. The company already counts 14 large Brazilian hospital sites relying on its PACS solutions for their daily diagnostic imaging needs.