State of Louisiana Partners with RTI to Upgrade X-Ray Inspections
PRESSRELEASE
RTI, a global leader in quality assurance (QA) solutions for diagnostic radiology, announces that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) has selected the RTI Mako to modernize and expand their statewide x-ray inspection capabilities.
With Mako systems now supplied to all of LDEQ’s inspectors, this deployment reinforces the Mako’s position as the premium solution for high-performance diagnostic x-ray quality assurance.
The purchase is the result of a rigorous evaluation process led by LDEQ’s Radiation Inspection Group, which tested several competing solutions before selecting RTI’s advanced Mako systems. Brandon Firestine, RTI’s Area Sales Manager Southeast, played a pivotal role in managing the relationship, providing technical demonstrations, and showcasing the unique advantages of the Mako system.
The LDEQ team with Justin Hines and Brandon Firestine from RTI, ready for Mako training.
A Trusted Evolution: From RTI Piranha to RTI Mako
The Radiation Inspection Group at LDEQ is tasked with ensuring safety, compliance, and performance of all registered x-ray equipment across Louisiana – covering more than 12,700 x-ray facilities statewide. LDEQ inspectors operate on a risk-based inspection schedule and require testing instruments that are not only accurate and reliable but also robust enough to handle field conditions.
More than a decade ago, LDEQ transitioned from older corded equipment to the RTI Piranha, a handheld, Bluetooth-capable meter. This move significantly improved portability and usability for inspectors and laid the foundation for a long-standing reliance on RTI technology.
As part of its ongoing commitment to effectiveness and innovation, LDEQ recently initiated a re-evaluation of its x-ray testing equipment. With the Piranha units approaching ten years in service, the department consulted three manufacturers, thoroughly testing and comparing different meters in terms of both technical performance and user experience.
During the evaluation process, inspectors observed a range of systems in real-world use. RTI’s newer model – the RTI Mako – stood out with its streamlined design and offered key advantages, including enhanced portability, reliability, and seamless wireless functionality. These features were pivotal in LDEQ’s decision to adopt the Mako as its primary testing instrument. Notably, LDEQ was among the first to purchase a Mako following its 2024 release, and their continued investment confirms that the system has fully met their expectations.
“With the Mako’s faster connectivity and enhanced accuracy, we anticipate saving valuable time at each facility and expect a reduction in retakes. We’re excited about the efficiency gains and look forward to the streamlined, customizable reporting available with the latest Ocean Software release,” Paula Lang, Environmental Scientist Manager at LDEQ stated.
Streamlining Inspections with RTI’s Ocean Next Software
In addition to adopting the Mako, LDEQ is implementing RTI’s Ocean Next software to transfer facility and equipment data into an all-inclusive, streamlined database – allowing the department to better manage x-ray inspection records and analytics statewide. By upgrading to the RTI Mako and integrating Ocean Next software, LDEQ continues to modernize its x-ray inspection program – ensuring safety, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across Louisiana.
By continuing to use RTI products – from the Piranha to the Mako and Ocean Next – LDEQ reaffirms its trust in RTI’s tools and their essential role in supporting the state’s x-ray inspection program.
For more information on the Mako system or RTI’s diagnostic x-ray QA solutions, please visit makobyrti.com
About RTI
RTI is a world-leading manufacturer of quality assurance (QA) solutions for diagnostic radiology. In 1981, RTI invented the first X-ray QA systems and since then, innovation has been at the heart of our corporate philosophy. Our comprehensive independent QA solutions allow medical physicists and service engineers across the world to ensure that X-ray units in all modalities are optimized and safe. RTI’s X-Ray QA hardware and software are used by hospitals, manufacturers of X-ray equipment, service companies and government authorities worldwide, across all different modalities, including R/F, dental, CT, mammography, interventional and surgery (C-arms). With design, manufacturing and calibration services carried out in Sweden, RTI has sales offices in America, Asia and Europe and is represented by up to 100 distributors worldwide.