GE HealthCare Introduces Definium™ Pace Select ET: A Next-Gen Digital X-ray System Designed to Boost Efficiency, Accessibility, and Image Quality in High-Demand Settings
GE HealthCare a global leader in medical technology and digital solutions, has announced the commercial launch of its newest digital X-ray system—Definium™ Pace Select ET—a floor-mounted radiography solution that aims to address the growing need for high-efficiency imaging systems in today’s overburdened healthcare environment. This advanced system is designed to combine exceptional image quality with enhanced workflow automation, all while ensuring affordability and accessibility for healthcare providers across a wide range of clinical settings.
Meeting the Rising Demand for Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging plays a critical role in modern healthcare, often serving as the first step in diagnosing a wide range of conditions. X-ray imaging alone accounts for nearly 60% of all diagnostic imaging exams, making it one of the most widely used modalities across hospitals and outpatient centers alike. However, this high utilization rate is creating mounting challenges for radiology departments, particularly in the face of widespread staffing shortages.
A recent report highlights that 80% of healthcare organizations are currently understaffed, with radiology technologists experiencing some of the highest vacancy rates in the medical field. This situation is further exacerbated by high levels of burnout and work-related physical strain among technologists, creating a difficult environment for maintaining timely and accurate diagnostic services.
In response to these systemic challenges, GE HealthCare’s new Definium Pace Select ET is designed to alleviate workflow bottlenecks, reduce the risk of errors, and minimize the physical demands placed on technologists, while simultaneously delivering reliable, high-quality imaging.
Leveraging AI and Automation to Streamline Radiology Workflows
The Definium Pace Select ET incorporates several cutting-edge features intended to modernize and simplify radiography. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and smart automation, the system aims to eliminate many of the manual, repetitive tasks that typically slow down the imaging process and contribute to technologist fatigue.
Among its standout features is automated patient positioning, which ensures accuracy across various body types and clinical conditions. The system’s Helix™ Advanced Image Processing—powered by AI—further enhances diagnostic confidence by reducing variability and consistently delivering high-quality images, regardless of patient anatomy or technologist experience.
“Radiology departments today are under immense pressure to operate both efficiently and profitably,” said Sharad Sharma, Global General Manager for X-ray at GE HealthCare. “Definium Pace Select ET is designed to relieve some of that burden by empowering technologists of all experience levels to deliver high-quality results. With its robust digital automation and advanced image processing, we are helping ensure that the first image taken is the one that counts.”
Empowering Technologists, Enhancing Patient Care
In addition to its performance-oriented features, the Definium Pace Select ET emphasizes user-friendly operation and ergonomic design. The system includes a flexible floor-mounted structure with an elevating table and in-room exam control, offering technologists more mobility and control during imaging procedures. Its common user interface aligns with GE HealthCare’s broader Definium platform, promoting seamless training and consistency across departments.
“With the launch of this system, we’re reaffirming our commitment to making diagnostic imaging more efficient and accessible,” said Jyoti Gupta, PhD, President & CEO of Women’s Health and X-ray at GE HealthCare. “We designed Definium Pace Select ET not just to improve patient care, but also to reduce the daily strain placed on technologists. The result is a smarter, more intuitive imaging experience that benefits everyone involved.”
Gupta added that the system plays a pivotal role in GE HealthCare’s ongoing efforts to integrate digital transformation and AI into core radiology tools. The goal is to remove barriers to imaging access, particularly in settings where high patient volumes, budget constraints, and staffing shortages present significant operational challenges.
Making Advanced Imaging More Accessible
What sets the Definium Pace Select ET apart is its ability to bring premium features—often found in more expensive overhead tube suspension (OTS) systems—to a cost-effective, floor-mounted format. This innovation is particularly beneficial for healthcare facilities operating in resource-constrained environments, such as rural hospitals, community clinics, and developing regions, where high-throughput and affordability are paramount.
The system is the product of extensive collaboration with healthcare professionals, incorporating feedback from technologists, radiologists, and administrators to ensure it meets the real-world needs of clinical teams. The result is a platform that emphasizes:
- Workflow efficiency, with automated protocol selection and intelligent collimation.
- Enhanced safety, through built-in quality checks before radiation exposure.
- Physical strain reduction, by minimizing manual movements and repetitive tasks.
- Consistent imaging, thanks to AI-based image optimization and intelligent positioning.
A Step Toward the Future of Radiography
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, GE HealthCare’s latest X-ray innovation marks a significant milestone in addressing the dual challenges of workforce strain and rising diagnostic demand. With the introduction of the Definium Pace Select ET, the company not only reinforces its leadership in digital radiography but also pushes forward its mission to deliver equitable, efficient, and high-quality care.
The Definium Pace Select ET is now commercially available and is expected to be adopted rapidly by institutions seeking to modernize their X-ray capabilities while maintaining affordability and improving operational throughput.
