GE HealthCare has introduced its latest innovation, the Pristina Via™ mammography system, designed to revolutionize breast care by improving both technologist workflows and patient experiences. The system was unveiled at the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 2024 Annual Meeting, showcasing its ability to combine diagnostic precision with operational efficiency, ensuring a patient-centered approach to mammography.
This launch is particularly timely, as the healthcare sector grapples with increasing challenges. Recent data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) indicates a sharp rise in technologist vacancy rates, jumping from 6% in 2021 to a staggering 18% in 2024. Meanwhile, the demand for mammograms remains steady. Such trends underscore the urgent need for innovative tools that streamline workflows, reduce labor-intensive tasks, and support overburdened healthcare professionals.
Advancing the Senographe Pristina Platform
Building on its patient-focused Senographe Pristina platform, GE HealthCare developed Pristina Via to address the evolving needs of mammography technologists. By integrating advanced features, the system minimizes repetitive tasks, enabling technologists to dedicate more time to compassionate and personalized patient care.
“At GE HealthCare, we’re committed to addressing our customers’ needs by delivering solutions that enhance experiences for both patients and healthcare providers,” said Jyoti Gupta, PhD, President & CEO for Women’s Health and X-ray at GE HealthCare. “Pristina Via is a significant step forward, designed to simplify workflows while prioritizing patient-centered care. It reflects our mission of supporting women with technology created by women, for women.”
Key Features of Pristina Via
The Pristina Via mammography system introduces a range of features aimed at improving workflow efficiency and patient comfort:
- Zero-click acquisition: This functionality eliminates unnecessary steps, enabling seamless workflows for technologists.
- Accelerated imaging: The system offers image-to-image cycle times for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) that are up to twice as fast as other systems on the market.
- Vendor-neutral prior image comparison: This feature allows technologists to analyze prior exams more efficiently, reducing the time required for final assessments.
- Lowest radiation dose: Among major mammography systems, Pristina Via ensures the lowest radiation dose across all breast thicknesses.
These innovations allow for faster procedures while maintaining accuracy, enabling technologists to better manage high patient volumes. Additionally, Pristina Via features a scalable, future-ready platform that is fully backward-compatible, ensuring imaging centers can access the latest capabilities without replacing existing infrastructure. Its reliability is supported by GE HealthCare service contracts, which have demonstrated a 99% uptime for Pristina systems.
Addressing Technologists’ Needs
The development of Pristina Via was informed by nearly 250 interviews and observations with mammography technologists. The insights gathered revealed that one of the greatest challenges is balancing the fast pace of modern healthcare with the need for accuracy and patient-focused care.
“Simplifying and automating mammography exams to improve workflows is essential for increasing patient compliance and access to screenings,” said Dr. John Simon, CEO of SimonMed, one of the nation’s largest outpatient imaging providers. “As a leading provider of breast cancer screening services, we’re committed to adopting technologies like Pristina Via that improve clinical and operational outcomes.”
Collaboration and Future Impact
GE HealthCare collaborated closely with technologists during the design phase to ensure the system meets their needs. Pooja Pathak, Vice President and General Manager for Global Mammography at GE HealthCare, emphasized this collaborative approach:
“Technologists often describe their workday as a race against the clock. Pristina Via was engineered to alleviate that pressure by automating processes, allowing providers to focus on delivering attentive, high-quality care. We’re thrilled that SimonMed, a long-term partner, is implementing this technology to enhance their mammography services.”
Exploring More at RSNA 2024
The unveiling of Pristina Via is part of GE HealthCare’s broader showcase at RSNA 2024, which also includes a collaboration with RadNet’s DeepHealth. Attendees can explore these innovations and more at Booth 7330 or through the event’s press kit and online resources.
With Pristina Via, GE HealthCare reinforces its leadership in women’s health technology, offering solutions that address the dual demands of efficiency and patient-centered care. This innovation is set to redefine breast imaging standards, empowering technologists and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
