GE HealthCare’s new mammography streamlines technologists’ workflow and reduces repetitive tasks

GE HealthCare has introduced a transformative innovation in mammography - the Pristina Via system. Unveiled at the Radiological Society of North America's 2024 Annual Meeting, this cutting-edge system aims to enhance workflow efficiency while delivering compassionate, patient-centered breast care. With its groundbreaking design, Pristina Via responds to the growing demand for more intelligent and streamlined processes in breast imaging, ensuring better outcomes for both patients and technologists.

How does it work?

The Pristina Via mammography system is designed with technologist efficiency and patient comfort at its core. Key features include:

• Zero-click acquisition functionality, enabling seamless workflows with no delays between image captures.
• Vendor-neutral prior image comparison, which reduces the time spent analyzing past exams.
• The lowest radiation dose among leading mammography systems, tailored for all breast thicknesses.

The system is built on a scalable, future-proof platform that integrates backward compatibility, allowing imaging centers to access the latest advancements while ensuring reliability with 99% system uptime. By automating repetitive tasks, Pristina Via enables technologists to focus on delivering personalized care during mammography screenings.

Why does it matter?

The need for innovations like Pristina Via has never been more pressing. Recent data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) shows technologist vacancy rates have tripled over the last three years, rising from 6% to 18% in 2024. Meanwhile, the demand for mammograms remains steady. This imbalance has placed enormous pressure on healthcare providers to maintain accuracy and patient-centered care amidst increasingly fast-paced workflows.

"Pristina Via is our answer to this challenge," said Pooja Pathak, Vice President and General Manager for Global Mammography at GE HealthCare. "The system's advanced features were engineered to automate processes and allow our users to give patients the attentive, quality care they deserve."

The context

Developed through nearly 250 interviews and observations with mammography technologists, the Pristina Via system addresses the daily challenges of breast imaging professionals. Many technologists reported feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of modern medicine. GE HealthCare's commitment to solving these challenges is evident in their collaboration with end users, ensuring that the system is tailored to real-world needs.

Dr. John Simon, CEO of SimonMed, emphasized the importance of such advancements: "Simplifying, automating, and streamlining the mammography exam to improve in-room workflows is critical to driving patient compliance and access to screening. The enhancements offered by Pristina Via are part of our mission of making advanced technology accessible."

With features that blend speed, accuracy, and patient-focused care, the Pristina Via system sets a new standard in breast imaging, paving the way for more efficient and compassionate healthcare.