Belgian hospital partners with Sectra to transform radiology diagnostics

AZ Sint-Lucas Gent, a leading hospital in Ghent, Belgium, has taken a significant step towards improving radiology diagnostics and patient outcomes by partnering with international medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra. This collaboration, formalised through a 10-year agreement, will see the hospital implement Sectra’s enterprise imaging solution, a cutting-edge technology designed to streamline diagnostic workflows and reduce turnaround times for patients.

By adopting Sectra’s solution, AZ Sint-Lucas Gent aims to centralise and simplify the radiology process. Radiologists will be able to access all the tools they need within a single application, eliminating the inefficiencies of switching between multiple systems. This integrated approach is expected to significantly enhance productivity, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses for approximately 300,000 imaging exams conducted annually.

The head of AZ Sint-Lucas Gent’s medical imaging department, Dr. Nele De Ruyter, emphasised the transformative impact of this new technology. She explained that the solution’s built-in reporting and high availability will allow radiologists to work seamlessly, regardless of time or location. This improvement, she noted, reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centred care by reducing lead times and optimising workflows.

The partnership also underscores Sectra’s focus on addressing challenges faced by modern radiologists. Bart Thielen, Managing Director of Sectra Benelux, noted that the increasing demand for imaging services has placed significant pressure on radiologists, who must balance heavy workloads with the need for accuracy and efficiency. He commended AZ Sint-Lucas Gent for proactively investing in solutions that not only improve diagnostic processes but also support radiologists in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Sectra’s enterprise imaging solution is built around a vendor-neutral archive (VNA) and is designed to be both scalable and modular. This allows healthcare providers to expand their imaging capabilities across different specialities and institutions, while also lowering operational costs. With modules tailored for radiology and breast imaging, the system ensures a comprehensive and unified approach to diagnostic imaging.

This strategic integration positions AZ Sint-Lucas Gent as a pioneer in leveraging advanced medical technology to enhance patient care. As imaging demands continue to grow worldwide, the hospital’s forward-thinking approach serves as a model for other institutions seeking to modernise their diagnostic capabilities.