For Imaging Equipment Vendors, Interoperability a Major Selling Point

As digital imaging increasingly replaces conventional film in the medical X-ray field, and hospitals purchase various systems and components from different vendors, the subject of interoperability between systems is coming to the forefront, according to a new report.

The movement to digitize diagnostic imaging is also closely tied to efforts to enhance healthcare efficiency through the digitization of electronic medical records, according to Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA), an international market research company. Hospitals are buying more equipment from different vendors and developing internal networks that connect diagnostic imaging equipment--X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, PET scans--over picture archiving and communications system (PACS) networks to data storage servers for instant access. This is driving medical imaging equipment vendors to develop interoperable equipment with a uniform user interface.

"If an imaging system can work with what the hospital already has, that's a huge advantage for the vendor,” notes Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. "Offering more features, such as storage servers and interface software, is another successful tactic. If a healthcare system is to justify a large purchase, it helps to line up the need for the new system with the need for efficiency and government initiatives regarding medical records and digital images.”

The move to digital will lead to an increase in healthcare productivity by eliminating the time-consuming step of film development and the costly storing and transporting of X-rays, which must be held in large storage facilities for several years. In addition, the use of better, faster diagnostic equipment will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and the networking of health records and diagnostic images will make remote diagnosis a reality, contributing to growth in telemedicine and video-multimedia conferencing.

While it is initially costly to purchase a digital system, which has somewhat impeded implementation rates, operating costs are lower than those of conventional radiography. Traditional film X-ray systems have a price tag ranging from US$20,000 to $80,000, while digital systems can cost from $180,000 to $500,000. But the high cost can be justified in a high volume setting.

Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent market research in the life sciences, as well as a full range of custom research services.

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