InHealth and Siemens Healthineers have introduced the UK’s first application of syngo Virtual Cockpit technology at Frimley Park Hospital, enabling the delivery of remote scanning assistance allowing the rapid transfer of specialist knowledge between MRI scanners – leading to an improvement in access to clinical experts, improved efficiency and enhanced patient experience.

Syngo Virtual Cockpit is a software solution that is designed to assist the sharing of knowledge and management of scanning procedures from a distance. Expert colleagues are given access to view the workstations on a number of scanners, within the same network and they can provide timely ‘over the shoulder’ or ‘live coaching’ support to staff when required, without having to be in the room.

In a UK first, with the approval of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, InHealth has worked with Siemens Healthineers to introduce this technology at their dedicated MRI Unit within Frimley Park Hospital.

Using the technology, remote radiographers can virtually connect with on-site radiographers in real time, through headsets, conference speakers or chat to discuss current cases. Through in-room cameras and workstation images of patients, injectors and the workflow can be seen by experts to enable them to seamlessly provide verbal guidance or take control of the scanner via Siemens Healthineers’ syngo Expert-i software.

The syngo Virtual Cockpit brings many benefits, including an easy-to-use system that can help alleviate the pressures of knowledge bottlenecks and staff shortages to ultimately help increase patient satisfaction.

It also provides:

• Remote support for routine examinations, as well as rare and challenging examinations
• The ability for radiographers to call on a colleague for live support
• A solution for bottlenecks caused by holiday/illness/nightshifts
• The ability for radiographers from other sites to remotely assist staff on-site
• Training support, where less-experienced radiographers can access hands-on, remote training, while keeping quality high.

Graham Ogden, Director of Operations, said: “InHealth is delighted to be introducing this state-of-the-art technology in partnership with Siemens Healthineers, as a way of improving patient care. For our staff, being able to digitally access the skills and expertise of other colleagues will deliver great collaboration and teamwork, which will improve the overall efficiency and quality of our services.”

Ben Reed, syngo Business Manager, said: “Siemens Healthineers syngo Virtual Cockpit software is now in use in a number of countries around the world, and we were delighted that InHealth agreed to be our UK Pilot for this new functionality. This first install, at Frimley Park Hospital, practically next door to our own offices, was the ideal test bed, and it is great to work with such an engaged team from InHealth, both from the technical side and the clinical side. We look forward to working together over the next few months to realise and quantify the potential benefits of the solution, and to a wider roll-out across the InHealth fleet in the future.”

Find out more here: https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-uk/medical-imaging-it/imaging-acquisition-solutions/syngo-virtual-cockpit