Looking to purchase a CT? Answer these Six Questions First!

Written by Vikki Harmonay | Fri, Mar 22, 2013 @ 19:03 PM

This outline should help bring in a focus on clinical, not just technical specifications.

Start with some of the basics:

What’s your goal with this CT?

Are you buying the new CT for a new service line such as cardiac, ED, pediatric or bariatric?
What type of studies does your referring physicians need?
What exams do you primarily do on your CT?
Are you hoping to improve current CT shortcomings such as patient throughput or the need to add a new application or the need to reduce dose? If so, what applications? (list them just in case)

What are some of the limitations that you’d like to alleviate with a new scanner?

Is it to provide a more competitive technology?
Who are you competing with in your local market?
Another hospital?
An imaging center?
A specialist’s office?

If so, what is your competition doing that you are not?

Are you looking for a slice of the market that requires “Low Dose CT Images”?

If so, is the upgrade to a new CT based on that, or is there an alternative such as SafeCT, for image enhancement of low dose CT studies?

Do you find yourself obligated to buy a high priced new CT just because the OEM doesn’t provide an inexpensive upgrade to reducting dose on your existing CT?

Will you be trading in a 4 or 16 slice CT just because the OEM isn’t offering a “Low Dose” upgrade for your current CT systems?

Are you upgrading to the latest and most expensive technology in CT, to get more referrals?

If you do get additional referrals, will the number of referrals and reimbursement offset the new debt?

Your calculation could be estimated by month
(for example with a lease) plus+ monthly service costs
(note that service on a new CT with the latest technology could cost 2x as much as your existing CT service cost).
When it comes to reimbursement, remember you can’t fix an amount through the entire 5 years as rates decline.

Are you budgeting an adequate amount for room renovation?

Siting is important and OEM specifications will help guide the construction of the new room.

Renovation comes with a cost and the more complicated the system, the more demands on the HVAC, mechanical, engineering and room requirements.
Consider this, what is the footprint of your existing CT that you have in a current room and how much larger is the “new” CT.

Have you budgeted the correct amount to purchase a CT?

Now Imagine that your leadership has budgeted $1.3 Million Dollars for a new, top of the line CT that can do every CT study performed in research centers across the country.

Continue thinking about the studies you actually do and the potential of new studies you can bring in, from YOUR referring physicians (not what you imagine referrers to Johns Hopkins sends, but your primary and potential referring physicians in your market).

Now review your original proforma and imagine what a $1,300,000 new CT with a $120,000 service contract per year will cost your hospital- $36,000 per month in lease payment for five years.

Five Long Years in a challenging healthcare environment where current reimbursements will probably be reduced.

Now, imagine, instead of spending the hospital’s money, you are spending your own money on that replacement CT.

Isn’t it time to consider a refurbished, pre-owned CT?

If you would like more information about CTs please contact Jeff Weiss at 212-366-9100 x 170 or email jeffweiss@atlantisworldwide.com or Contact US

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