CT Segment Enjoys Steady Growth Cardiac Imaging Shows Greatest Potential
7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM by: Julie E. Williamson
Despite diagnostic imaging reimbursement cuts stemming from the Deficit Reduction Act, the computed tomography market segment appears to be maintaining a solid footing.
A new report, “Computed Tomography Systems Market Worldwide,” reveals that the US market for CT scanning systems accounts for more than 50% of the global market and is estimated to reach a whopping $3.6 billion by the end of this year. The report stated that the advent of portable and mobile CT scans has enhanced access and availability of the diagnostic imaging modality – and has made it possible for more hospitals with smaller budgets to offer CT to their patients who once had to travel elsewhere for the service.
United States and Japan comprise the highest percentage of CT users, with approximately 80 scanners in use per million in the US and roughly 90 scanners per million in Japan. In 2007 – the most recent comprehensive CT-related statistics available – nearly 69 million scans were performed in the US, according to the report.
Pulse quickens on cardiology applications
While the CT market segment, as a whole, can be described as thriving, some applications are gaining significant momentum. Pediatric imaging, for example, has seen a surge, with an estimated six million CT scans performed annually – with about 600,000 of these CT scans being done for head and abdominal examinations, the worldwide CT market report stated.
Perhaps the most significant surge in the CT segment can be seen on the cardiac imaging side, however, with that growth being attributed, at least in part, to increased use in emergency medicine, perfusion studies and CT angiography, industry reports show. CT angiograms represent the fastest growing application, with about half a million being performed annually in the US alone. Although the most recent report from IMV Medical Information Division shows that aggressive shifts of cardiac procedures to CT angiography have not occurred as much as predicted by cardiologists in IMV’s 2006 survey, demand for the procedure has nonetheless increased – along with the perceived need for higher slice equipment.
Although most facilities have a range of scanners – from low-slice to high-slice – there appears to be a trend toward acquiring high-slice scanners. According to the latest IMV report, the adoption of 64-slice CT equipment by US cardiology practices has more than doubled over the past two years.
“The majority of CT units out there in the cardiology practices now are 64-slice units,” noted Mary C. Patton, director of market research at IMV, in a February 3, 2009, press release. “It’s extremely important for today’s cardiology practices to offer state-of-the-art imaging capabilities to maintain or improve its competitive edge and provide the best possible patient care,” she continued, adding that the perception of many cardiologists working in large private practices is that there’s no point in buying CT equipment that’s not 64-slice.
Specifically, SPECT procedure volumes are stable or increasing, according to cardiologists who responded to the IMV survey. More than 60% of the cardiology practices represented in the survey currently own or lease at least one piece of SPECT or SPECT-CT equipment. Looking at the CT equipment segment as a whole, 45% of cardiology survey respondents presently own or lease CT equipment, with an average of about two units per practice among those who have the equipment. In 2006, only 23.5% of practices surveyed owned or leased CT equipment, with an average of 1.4 units in use per practice.
Imaging equipment
acquisitions planned
In spite of the economic challenges and a particularly tough first quarter of 2009, a growing number of US hospital radiology administrators are anticipating that their capital equipment budgets will allow the purchase of diagnostic imaging equipment later this year. The findings, coming from a May 2009 IMV study of 250 US hospitals, show that 64-slice CT scanners are among the types of equipment most likely to be acquired (along with digital mammography, digital radiolography and fluoroscopy equipment).
The report, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging Procedures and Purchases: A Semi-Annual Update,” indicates that many purchases of diagnostic imaging equipment budgeted for 2009 have not been cancelled, but rather deferred until later this year or 2010. Nearly two-thirds of the radiology administrators surveyed noted that their hospitals are aiming to implement selected capital projects this year.
Lower-slice CT equipment is also on the radar for many facilities, according to the 2008 IMV report “Outlook for Investment in Diagnostic Imaging by US Hospitals, 2008-2009.” Radiology administrator survey respondents from hospitals with fewer than 200 beds indicated that both 16- and 64-slice CT scanners were on their acquisition lists for 2009.
Not surprisingly, more cost-effective equipment solutions are also being tapped by budget-strapped facilities that are concerned about growing or maintaining their imaging service revenues in the face of Medicare reimbursement cuts.
Over the radiology administrator respondents who work in hospitals with 200 beds or fewer, more than two-thirds indicated that they would be willing to purchase OEM-certified refurbished equipment for one or more leading diagnostic imaging modalities. The fact that facilities – many of which are operating in the red – can acquire quality, high-tech, refurbished imaging equipment at significant cost savings (whether through the OEM or a third party imaging equipment and service provider) is driving the growing trend.
“In this economy, hospitals are looking for more cost-effective alternatives, without having to [sacrifice quality],” noted Frank Lewis, co-founder of CT Resources LLC, LaVergne, TN.
Julie Williamson has been covering key issues in the medical equipment industry for the Medical Dealer for more than twelve years. She can be reached for questions/comments by email at info@mdpublishing.com. |