Children’s Hospital of Georgia

An imaging suite designed by patients and their families

Combining an interactive environment and state-of-the-art technology

The Radiology Department at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia (CHOG), an Augusta University Health (AU Health) hospital, hadn’t been renovated in 16 years and was struggling with dated—often analog—technology, inefficient workflows and a drab, static environment. The CHOG-AU Health leadership team knew significant updates were needed to meet the imaging needs of the community and continue to provide best-in-class care to pediatric patients.

As a pioneer in patient- and family-centered care, AU Health has long recognized the importance of including patients and families in the planning process and thinking beyond the required technology. The CHOG Radiology Department redesign supports this mission to the fullest. The team immediately set to work gathering input from young patients and their parents and underwent intensive, on-site analysis and workshops through the AU Health-Philips Alliance. The result? An award-winning radiology department that created a new problem for itself, jokes Lewis Golden, Chief Radiographer: “Now kids cry when they have to leave!”

Learn more about our enterprise partnership with Augusta University Health

Working with the Philips team and our patient advisors has given us an end product that I’m very proud of. Radiology can be a scary place. We’ve tried to replace the ‘scary’ with ‘soothing,’ and I’m excited to share that with our patients."

Layne Mitchell

Administrative Director, General Radiology, Augusta University Health

Our approach

A multidisciplinary team of experts from CHOG Radiology and the AU Health-Philips alliance completed an in-depth, on-site analysis and gathered input from patients, parents and staff to define clinical, functional and emotional requirements for the new pediatric radiology suite. Using the acquired insight, they developed a comprehensive set of recommendations and strategic roadmap that included:

Technology upgrades for enhanced patient safety, including lower radiation dose;
Workflow and design updates for more efficient resource management and increased throughput; and
Environment enhancements to create a patient-focused experience.

Lewis Golden, GR Health chief radiographer, shows a young patient how “CAT” scans work by using the new Philips Kitten Scanner.

The redesign strategy was then aligned with capabilities from across the Alliance, including onsite technical and consulting resources and program management and support, and implemented through a coordinated development and execution plan.

Results

The collaboration and dedication of the AU Health-Philips team resulted in a radiology suite that seamlessly transitioned from concept to reality to results, exceeding expectations and garnering a Patient-Centric Imaging award from Health Imaging magazine. In addition to the newly installed fleet of imaging equipment, which enables dose management to limit patients’ exposure to radiation, some of the many new patient-centric improvements included:

Converting the traditional waiting rooms into patient lounges with soft lighting and comfortable seating
Installing an interactive video wall in the main lobby to provide a positive distraction to waiting patients
Incorporating Philips Ambient Experience sound and lighting solution to promote young patient engagement and calm in the high-tech imaging rooms
Installing a Philips KittenScanner that allows young patients to simulate CT (or “CAT”) scanning with toy patients

How can we help you?

*

Contact information

* This field is mandatory

Country

*

First name*

First name (phonetic)

*

Last name*

Last name (phonetic)

Salutation

Academic title

*

Email address*

Business phone number (ex. +1 (555) 123-4567)

*

Company*

Job title

Industry

*

Function

*

Specialty

*

Department

*

State or Province

City

Address

Zip or Postal Code

By specifying your reason for contact we will be able to provide you with a better service.

We work with partners and distributors who may contact you about this Philips product on our behalf.

Follow up information

*

Preferred method of contact

Best time to call

Estimated time of purchase

*

Please enter your comments regarding the inquiry

I hereby consent to processing of my personal data and sensitive personal data (if any) and transfer of such data abroad, in accordance with the Privacy Notice that can be found here.

What is cross border data transfer?

I agree on cross-border transfer of personal information.

I hereby agree to receive by email or telephone information about Philips products, services, events and promotions, including information by mail that is appropriate to me, taking into account my activities and preferences, including the Expectations I have indicated / and in this form.

I agree that Philips may share my personal information with authorized resellers of its Philips products and equipment in order to meet my expectations as stated in this form.

I would like to receive marketing related electronic communications about Philips products, services, events and promotions that may be relevant to me based on my user preferences and behavior. I can revoke my consent at any time.

Final CEE consent

By giving the child the opportunity to choose color, lighting and sound themes, we put them in control of their experience. On top of that, all our imaging studies are performed using low-dose techniques, because it’s vital that we limit every child’s potential for radiation exposure. It’s great to have fun, but patient safety must come first.”

Dr. James V. Rawson

Chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Innovation Matters blog

*Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.