Efficiency and Savings

Medical imaging makes the health care system work more efficiently by fostering greater economy and cost savings. Such savings are often apparent, as when imaging replaces surgery. Other times, savings are harder to see, as when imaging allows a patient to recover in half the time. Imaging's newest frontier, fusing digital imaging with information technology, is introducing savings that stretch throughout the health delivery system.

Imaging saves money by often substituting for other tests and treatments. Two examples:

• Greater use of faster, more efficient CT means lower costs, less testing
• NEJM and JAMA say that CT for pulmonary embolisms can reduce costs, minimize use of other imaging procedures

Imaging saves money by reducing the costs of individual treatments or episodes of care. Savings emerge from fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and better patient management.

• Image-guided core needle biopsy takes about a fifth of the time of surgical biopsy – and costs less than half.
• Image-guided renal angioplasty costs 20 percent of what open surgery costs and virtually eliminates hospital stays.
• Image-guided placement of catheters in major arteries saves money because it reduces complications.

Imaging saves money by reducing or eliminating unnecessary or inappropriate care. In many cases, that means avoiding unneeded surgery or hospitalization.

• PET scans can eliminate as much as half the futile surgeries for lung-cancer patients.
• CT scans can reduce unneeded surgeries and hospitalizations for patients suspected of appendicitis.
• Imaging information systems help providers eliminate unneeded tests.

Imaging is introducing system-wide savings through the use of digital and information technologies. From electronic order entry systems to telemedicine, these technologies improve workflow, save staff resources, and create new efficiencies in patient care and administrative operations.

• Physicians can access images and patient histories with a PDA or laptop computer from virtually anywhere in the hospital or health system.
• Providers can better manage resources and data and can more easily integrate diverse departments, treatment areas, and facilities.
• Patients in rural areas can access imaging expertise via telemedicine without traveling great distances.