AI delivers clinical decision support and workflow improvements

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artificial intelligence in radiology

October 7, 2022 — Artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications are having a significant impact on the radiology marketplace. In recent years, there have been significant contributions from AI to the field of diagnostic imaging. These contributions have impacted clinical decision support, hospital operations, workflows, and regulation agencies.

In the past several years, there has been substantial progress in developing AI programs to aid clinicians in their usage of diagnostic medical images. Two key areas where AI programs have made significant contributions are in clinical decision support and workflow process improvements.

Clinical decision support

The rate of research and development for new clinical applications of AI is significant and widespread. There are clinical AI programs available for all major diagnostic imaging modalities.

Some sets of AI program features that have been utilized across modalities are image quality improvements, lesion detection, and image analysis. Image quality improvement features focus on enhancing image reconstruction, image noise reduction, error reduction, and obtaining high-quality images with lower radiation dose.

Lesion detection features enable early detection of tumors and lesions and disease screening. Image analysis features can deliver faster image interpretations, measure and mark lesions, quantify tumor volume, classify abnormalities, diagnose micrometastases, and segment anatomy. The list of new capabilities and applications of these capabilities to new medical conditions and use cases seems to grow daily.

Workflow process improvements

The increased volume and complexity of imaging studies is contributing to radiologist burnout. AI programs focused on improving image processing time, radiologist reading workflow, scheduling, and patient communication can help alleviate these factors.

Two approaches that have been successfully implemented are to use an AI algorithm to triage imaging exams so that radiologists can focus on the most urgent studies. This approach has been used to decrease recall rates and the daily reading lists for radiologists.

Another approach that has been implemented improves the standardization of data and hanging protocols. This has created efficiency improvements for radiologists by allowing them to focus more on reading patient exams.

The integration of AI technology into the field of radiology is yielding new ways of generating information from medical images and improved processes for managing the challenges this new volume of information creates. As these advances continue and as these tools gain wider adoption in practice, the potential for improvements to patient care is substantial.

Davin Korstjens is senior market research program manager at IMV Medical Information Division, part of Science and Medicine Group. IMV’s The Artificial Intelligence in Imaging Landscape 2022 Report explores recent advances at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical diagnostic imaging. The report covers innovations and applications of AI technology in imaging and the companies that are active in this market.

The IMV’s The Artificial Intelligence in Imaging Landscape 2022 Report was published in October 2022 and is based on secondary research and primary research from recent market outlook reports. Vendors covered in this report include GE, Philips, Siemens, and more.

For information about purchasing IMV’s The Artificial Intelligence in Imaging Landscape Report, visit the corporate website at https://imvinfo.com/ or call 703-778-3080 ext. 1033 to speak with a representative.

Disclosure: IMV Medical Information Division is a sister company of AuntMinnie.com.

IMV: Broad use of fixed C-arms in hospitals drives future demand

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September 6, 2022 — The widespread use of C-arms across radiology, cardiology, and surgery departments at larger hospitals is contributing to healthy growth prospects for the modality, according to IMV Medical Information Division’s newly published 2022 Fixed C-arm Market Outlook Report.

The current C-arm installed base is concentrated in radiology and cardiology departments of larger hospitals. As of the 2022 survey, C-arms are installed in 64% of radiology and 63% of cardiology-related departments.

In terms of units, 42% of fixed C-arms are located in cardiology-related departments, 35% are in radiology-related departments, and 23% are in surgery-related departments. Hospitals with more than 200 beds are much more likely to have fixed C-arms installed in more than one department compared to hospitals with less than 200 beds.

In hospitals with more than 200 beds, 73%-85% have a C-arm in more than one department. In contrast, for hospitals with less than 200 beds, 64% have a C-arm installed in just a single department.

In 2021, the majority of patient cases on fixed C-arms were performed in cardiology- and radiology-related departments, with roughly 40% of cases each, the remaining 20% of cases were performed in surgery-related departments, according to the IMV survey.

Larger hospitals are performing a significant share of the overall C-arm cases. In 2021, the largest 400+ bed hospitals accounted for 44% of the reported patient cases, adding in the 25% share of cases performed at 300 to 399 bed hospitals brings the total share of C-arm cases performed at 300+ bed hospitals to almost 70%.

Looking ahead through 2022, the number of patient cases on fixed C-arms is projected to increase by roughly 16% year over year, according to estimates from survey respondents.

Demand for fixed C-arm systems is likely to remain high, with 62% of hospitals considering (responses of “Maybe Planning” or “Yes, Plan to Acquire”) the purchase of a fixed C-arm system between 2023 and 2025.

Regarding portable C-arms, a robust 88% majority of hospitals reported that they use portable/mobile C-arm units in their surgery/operating department. The top use of portable C-arms is for general surgery and orthopedic procedures, and in line with this, orthopedic and general surgeons are the most likely physicians to be using portable C-arms.

Demand for portable units is healthy as well, with 53% of hospitals considering (responses of “Yes, planning” or “Maybe planning”) the purchase of portable C-arm units from 2022 through 2025.

Regarding the availability of C-arms for patient procedures, departments with C-arms are open for an average of 41.1 hours during the week and an average of 7.2 hours on weekends. Smaller hospitals with less than 100 beds are open an average of 0.8 hours through the weekend with 100+ bed hospitals being open around 8 hours per weekend.

Davin Korstjens is Senior Market Research Program Manager at IMV Medical Information Division, part of Science and Medicine Group.

IMV’s 2022 Fixed C-arm Market Outlook Report explores market trends in U.S. hospitals and imaging centers, including procedure volume, manufacture-installed base features and share, the use of OEM vs. third-party service providers, purchase plans, brand loyalty and site operations characteristics.

The 2022 Fixed C-arm Market Outlook Report was published in August 2022 and is based on responses from 203 radiology/departmental administrators who participated in IMV’s nationwide survey in May – June 2022. Their responses have been projected to the IMV-identified universe of hospitals and imaging centers in the U.S. that use C-arm systems to perform imaging procedures, and the report provides market forecast scenarios addressing the C-arm unit market in the United States for 2022-2022. Vendors covered in this report include GE, Philips, Siemens, Canon, Hologic, Ziehm, Medtronic, Shimadzu and more.

For information about purchasing IMV’s 2022 Fixed C-arm Market Outlook Report, visit the corporate website at imvinfo.com or call 703-778-3080 ext. 1033 to speak with a representative. In addition to the report, all purchases will include a complimentary recording of an executive summary presentation of findings conducted by IMV’s Senior Program Manager.

Disclosure: IMV Medical Information Division is a sister company of AuntMinnie.com

Nuclear Medicine Department Sentiment Improves on 2022 Procedure Volume Expectations

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SPECT Gamma Camera

2022 Nuclear Medicine department procedure volumes are expected to increase but reimbursement, revenue and net income are expected to stay the same, according to IMV Medical Information Division’s newly published 2022 Nuclear Medicine Market Outlook Report. Compared to IMVs 2018 Nuclear Medicine Market Outlook Report, respondents are more optimistic about procedure volume and less pessimistic about revenue, reimbursement and net income, indicating an improvement in sentiment for centers utilizing Nuclear Medicine (NM) systems.

As of early 2022 COVID-19 continued to have an impact on NM operations, with 11% of respondents indicating it as having a “high impact” and 35% stating a “medium impact” in their facilities. The impact was primarily driven by requirements for technologists to wear PPE, cancellations or no-shows of appointments due to fear of exposure to COVID and/or stay at home guidelines and by declines in patient volumes.

Supply chain challenges associated with COVID-19 have resulted in 14% of sites that use radiopharmaceuticals indicating there have been changes in how they order NM radiopharmaceuticals. These changes include changes to order frequency and timing as well as reduced dosing.

Nuclear medicine departments continue to prioritize improving patient satisfaction with their NM experience and satisfying the needs of referring physicians according to the 2022 IMV study. These priorities are closely followed by a focus on managing staffing levels to meet patient volume and scheduling needs, obtaining/maintaining Nuclear Medicine department accreditation and improving NM department workflow and productivity.

Currently, an estimated 25% of nuclear medicine sites perform radionuclide therapy procedures. This percentage increases to 45-65% of sites performing these procedures when only considering 200+ bed hospitals.

Most fixed NM cameras are currently installed in hospitals (57%) with 43% in non-hospital locations. Within non-hospital locations, 74% of the 43% non-hospital locations (32% of total) are physician office locations.

The installed base of fixed NM cameras increased slightly, by 2% to 14,860 units, compared to the 2018 study, driven primarily by an 11.9% increase in installations at non-hospital sites. 

In 2022, a combined 41% of sites are “Yes” or “Maybe” planning to purchase NM cameras over the next three years. Indicating NM camera purchase intent is down from 53% of sites in 2018 and in line with 40% of sites in 2015.

Davin Korstjens is Senior Market Research Program Manager at IMV Medical Information Division, part of Science and Medicine Group.

IMV’s 2022 Nuclear Medicine Market Outlook Report explores market trends in U.S. hospitals and imaging centers, including procedure volume, manufacture-installed base features and share, the use of OEM vs. third-party service providers, purchase plans, brand loyalty and site operations characteristics.

The 2022 Nuclear Medicine Market Outlook Report was published in June 2022 and is based on responses from 338 radiology/Nuclear Medicine administrators who participated in IMV’s nationwide survey in February – April 2022. Their responses have been projected to the IMV-identified universe of hospitals and imaging centers in the U.S. that use Nuclear Medicine systems to perform Nuclear Medicine imaging, and the report provides market forecast scenarios addressing the Nuclear Medicine unit market in the United States for 2021-2024. Vendors covered in this report include Siemens, GE, Philips, Canon, Digirad, Spectrum Dynamics and more.

For information about purchasing IMV’s 2022 Nuclear Medicine Market Outlook Report, visit the corporate website at http://www.imvinfo.com or call 703-778-3080 ext. 1033 to speak with a representative.Disclosure: IMV Medical Information Division is a sister company of AuntMinnie.com.

Varian Earns IMV 2021 ServiceTrak Awards

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Varian has received 2021 ServiceTrak awards in multiple categories related to customer satisfaction in the company’s radiation therapy business. Varian received the awards at the RSNA 2021 meeting.

IMV’s ServiceTrak reports are derived from phone interviews IMV conducts with imaging professionals in hospital departments and independent imaging centers in the U.S. Respondents are asked to rate their level of satisfaction with equipment manufacturers, as well as system performance and the quality of service received for their imaging equipment

Varian received ServiceTrak awards in the following categories:
Best Customer Satisfaction — Radiation Oncology
Best System Performance — Radiation Oncology
Best Service — Radiation Oncology

The awards were presented to Varian executives at RSNA 2021 by Tom Ogburn, chief commercial officer of IMV’s parent company, Science and Medicine Group.

Siemens Healthineers Earns IMV 2021 ServiceTrak Award

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Siemens Healthineers has received 2021 ServiceTrak Awards in multiple categories related to customer satisfaction in the company’s medical imaging business. Siemens received the awards at the RSNA 2021 meeting.

Siemens Healthineers received ServiceTrak awards in the following categories:
Best Customer Satisfaction — CT
Best Customer Satisfaction — MR
Best Customer Satisfaction — Nuclear Medicine (SPECT)
Best System Performance — Nuclear Medicine (SPECT)
Best Customer Satisfaction — PET
Best System Performance — PET

The awards were presented to Siemens executives at RSNA 2021 by Tom Ogburn, chief commercial officer of IMV’s parent company, Science and Medicine Group.