Will This C-Arm Fit Into This Room?

Do you want to hear a sad story we have heard way too many times?

Well, here goes. It’s about the time a doctor bought the perfect C-Arm for his practice, only to find out that the C-Arm didn't fit in the room in which he planned to put it. It’s a brutal—and costly— story, but fortunately, it is one that is easily avoidable.

A C-Arm does not require the extensive site planning that a CT or MRI does, but at the very least, you do need to make sure it will be a good fit for the room that you plan on putting it in. 

Here are 3 steps to make sure you select the correct C-Arm for the space you have:

1. Make a list of what you plan on having in the room.

2. Measure each element that you’ll need in the room. For example, the size of a C-Arm varies based on the make and model you select, but the average C-Arm will measure approximately 7' x 3' x 6'. With that said, a C-Arm at its maximum extension can reach up to 8 feet long. The monitor cart of the C-Arm is not as big.  The average size of the monitor cart is 2' x 2' x 6.'  However, it is big enough that you need to determine where it will sit in the room, so there will be ample room for it. Chances are, you will also need a C-Arm table. Most C-Arm tables are about 2’ wide and 7’ long. However, any accessories for the table, such as stirrups or arm boards, could add to the surface area of the table. It’s important to note: if you choose to purchase a Vascular table, the free floating table top will require more space. 

3. In addition to the C-Arm and C-Arm table, you may need additional monitors in the room, or even an Ultrasound system.  You may even choose to have cabinets, a sink and additional lighting. Making sure your room is big enough to house everything is crucial prior to buying a C-Arm and accepting delivery. 

Some Things to Remember About Room Size

As we have stated in our C-Arm 101 Buyer's Guide you should avoid putting your C-Arm in a room any smaller than 10' x 12'. Anything smaller than that will be challenging or, perhaps impossible. As a rule of thumb, the bigger your room, the better off you will be.  But fair warning: just because a C-Arm can fit in a room, doesn’t mean it’s ideal.  That’s why pre-planning before a purchase is so critical. You want to make sure there is ample room for your X-Ray technician to maneuver around the equipment easily.  Otherwise, it can be frustrating for both the technician and the patient. It’s also important to consider the placement of the door.  You don’t want to have to maneuver around equipment in order to enter the room! 

If the room is oddly shaped, it might not be appropriate for a C-Arm.  That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead: measure, re-measure and, ideally, talk to an expert before you buy. The good news is, even if a room is oddly shaped or too small, there can be options. A compact C-Arm might work for you, like the Ziehm Quantum or Ziehm Solo. Both these systems are one-piece C-Arms, with attached monitors.

It’s true, there are a lot of factors to consider.  The key is to consider them BEFORE you purchase a C-Arm.  If you want some expert advice, feel free to contact Atlantis Worldwide.  We have decades of experience finding the right solutions to fit any practice, clinic, hospital or healthcare facility.

Feel free to Contact Us Today!

Some blogs you may have missed:

• How Much Does it Cost to Lease a C-Arm?
• Capture It All... with MediCapture
• Comparing C-Arms: The Ultimate Guide
• Going Green with Refurbished & Used Medical Imaging Equipment
• 13 Ways to Decontaminate Medical Imaging Equipment & Protect Staff
• Free C—Arm Resources

About the author: Alex Silbergleit