Emphasis on X-Ray Quality Drives Computed and Digital Radiography Adoption in Europe

The necessity to improve the productivity and quality of radiograph examinations will fuel healthcare facilities across Europe to install computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems. These are the latest findings of Frost & Sullivan (Mountain View, CA, USA), a growth consultancy company.

The development of retrofit systems based on flat panel technology has popularized DR systems, and will sustain investments in the European computed and digital radiography market, according to new market research.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan found that the market earned revenues of more than USD 388.8 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach USD 473.9 million in 2016. The implementation of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) will add to the growth of the CR and DR market in Europe, as healthcare facilities look to fully benefit from the benefits of both PACS and digital X-ray system.

“CR and DR technologies’ advantages over analogue X-rays, which include increased patient throughput as well as shorter examination and result analysis times, have also encouraged their adoption,” stated Frost & Sullivan healthcare industry analyst Dominika Grzywinska. “The shortage of radiologists further drives uptake, as digital systems enable a radiologist to cater to nearly three times the number of patients served using analogue X-rays.”

Retrofit systems, which enable the upgrade of existing X-ray systems without replacing the installed base, are growing popular, particularly in Western Europe. In fact, many end users favor retrofit solutions offering high throughput and image quality at sensible prices, instead of than new DR systems that require added investments.

Whereas these retrofit systems have made digitization more cost-effective and prices of both CR and DR systems continue to decline, cost-effectiveness remains an issue due to the challenging economic situation in Europe. “Customers are placing greater emphasis on return-on-investments, looking for solutions tailored to their needs at an affordable price,” concluded Grzywinska. “Therefore, vendors need to deliver mid-range and low-end solutions that appeal to a wider range of customers and to smaller end users in particular.”

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