ECRI Institute Guides Hospital Decision-Makers in the Purchase of CT Scanning Systems

New report features top models, average pricing, and advanced dose safety options

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ECRI Institute®, an independent nonprofit organization that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, has released CT Scanning Systems, a new "infographic-style white paper" designed to give hospital leaders an at-a-glance overview of the current landscape of computed tomography (CT), from the most popular makes and models, to average pricing, and most importantly, dose safety.

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"There are more options than ever when choosing which CT scanning system to buy," states Jennifer Myers, ECRI Institute's Vice President of SELECT Health Technology Services. "Hospitals are asking for guidance on performance levels as well as how to ensure their patients are protected from cancer risks associated with radiation overexposure."

To help radiology/diagnostic imaging directors and hospital C-Suite decision-makers with the selection and procurement of this significant capital expenditure, the paper discusses:

• CT scanner performance levels from 16-slice to premium models
• Top 4 CT manufacturers based on member interest
• Top 10 CT models and average costs
• New dose reduction technologies and dose safety guidance

Manufacturers are taking steps to lower radiation dose by introducing new, state-of the art technologies that can achieve dose reductions of 20 to 80%. The paper identifies Iterative Reconstruction (IR), advanced image processing software that reduces image noise while reducing radiation dose to patients, as the technology garnering the most interest today. Several of these technologies are named in the report.

The market intelligence data featured in CT Scanning Systems is powered by ECRI Institute's SELECT+ Market Analytics tool, one of the latest enhancements to its SELECTplus™ healthcare technology advisory service used by more than 2,500 hospitals and health systems worldwide.

The new paper graphically displays to senior hospital staff a quick and helpful view of the issues surrounding CT scanning.  Simple illustrations and data-driven charts and graphs allow viewers to grasp the key concepts in minutes.

Download the infographic-style white paper, CT Scanning Systems, from ECRI Institute's Web site at: https://www.ecri.org/ctscan (free with registration).

For additional information about CT scanning systems and the technology advisory services available from ECRI Institute's SELECT program, please contact Jennifer Myers at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5287, or e-mail [email protected]. To learn more about ECRI Institute, contact us at [email protected], (610) 825-6000, or 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298 USA.

About ECRI Institute
ECRI Institute, a nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to bringing the discipline of applied scientific research to healthcare to discover which medical procedures, devices, drugs, and processes are best to enable improved patient care. As pioneers in this science for more than 40 years, ECRI Institute marries experience and independence with the objectivity of evidence-based research. Strict conflict-of-interest guidelines ensure objectivity. ECRI Institute is designated an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. ECRI Institute PSO is listed as a federally-certified Patient Safety Organization by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources. Find ECRI Institute on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ECRIInstitute) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ECRI_Institute). For more information, visit https://www.ecri.org.

SOURCE ECRI Institute