Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology

Was 2016 a good year for you? I guess it depends on what you compare it to. 

We’ve come a long way, baby, especially when it comes to medical imaging.  But before we get to the latest and greatest in MRIs and CT Scans, let’s time travel, shall we?

It’s no secret that helium is essential to the process of MRI imaging.  Helium becomes a liquid at very low temperatures, and facilitates the superconductivity that MRI imaging depends upon.  In 2015, the amount of helium consumed from health care applications exceeded two billion cubic feet.  A new report from Technavio forecasts grow of helium health care consumption at a compound annual growth of 7 percent through 2020. 

Finally, there’s a CT Scanner that performs scans on pediatric patients without the need for sedation!  What a relief for parents, children, physicians and technicians, alike.  Siemens has launched the new SOMATOM Dual Source CT Scanner and it’s been approved by the FDA. 

Are changes coming that will affect the sale and service of medical equipment and medical imaging equipment like MRI and CT scanners? Unfortunately there is no clear answer right now. What is known is that this October the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public workshop focused on the ““Refurbishing, Reconditioning, Rebuilding, Remarketing, Remanufacturing, and Servicing of Medical Devices Performed by Third-Party Entities and Original Equipment Manufacturers.”

By combining two distinct imaging systems, PET-CT has become one of the most effective imaging procedures available today. PET-CT is an advanced nuclear imaging technique that combines molecular imaging known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computer Tomography (CT) into one highly sophisticated process.

As some people continue to gain weight, manufacturers’ of MRI equipment have been producing scanners to accommodate larger sized patients. Also patients that are claustrophic or just uncomfortable find that the Open MRI is a better option.  Hence the need for more facilities to have the Open MRI Scanner.

In the constantly evolving world of healthcare and medical imaging, what’s new today could be in need of an upgrade tomorrow. It’s a challenge many hospitals and radiology offices face as they attempt to keep up with advancing technology. It’s also a primary consideration when hospitals and clinics decide to replace or update their existing equipment. When budgets are tight, many administrators must carefully decide whether the current equipment is negatively affecting patient outcomes or preventing the staff from making accurate diagnoses. It is a far too common assessment that can lead to older pieces of equipment remaining in use because they meet the minimum requirements.

If you’ve ever had an MRI Coil failure, you know it’s your basic nightmare. After all, unless you’ve got a spare around, it usually results in canceled procedures, patient rescheduling, potentially delayed diagnosis, increased work for your staff and a lot of grumbling! And the revenues lost? When you factor in lost revenues and the cost of replacing and repairing a failed MRI coil, it can add up to $3,200+ every day it’s out of commission!

It seems like every time we turn on the news, we hear about another company that’s had its information hacked. So just how secure is the information about your patients? And how easy is it to hack into a medical system like an MRI?