The global CT market is expected to grow 5.5 percent to $5.1 billion in 2018, according to a new Kalorama Information report. The combination of product enhancements and the need to cut radiation dose levels is fueling the market. A new federal standard passed into law last year, NEMA Standard XR-29, defining low dose standards and punishing providers not in compliance will help growth, according to the market research publisher. The market research publisher recently completed a study on CT Systems markets, Computed Tomography Systems: World Market Analysis.
CT systems use x-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of the body blending x-ray information with computer software. CT scanners first began to be installed in 1974 as a high-end novelty item in the best labs. Today it is part of routine practice. Currently, approximately 6,000 scanners are in use in the United States, according to Kalorama's estimates. Advancements in CT computer technology have made the systems much faster, which has in turn greatly improved patient comfort. Some manufacturers have also increased the systems' slices per rotation to 64, 128 and even 256. But radiation exposure is greater with CT than X-Ray and providers, patients and governments have all acted to encourage manufacturers to make low dose technology innovations.
"Low-dose concerns are nothing new and many systems already do what XR-28 calls for, but XR-29 legislation is one of several factor boosting new model sales," said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. "Others are speed and capacity."
These standards include dose structured reporting, dose check features, automatic exposure control and reference adult and pediatric protocols. A provision in federal legislation signed into law in April 2014 to delay Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate cuts required health care providers to comply with those standards. NEMA Standard XR-29-2013 for improved computed tomography (CT) radiation safety. Equipment not in compliance by Jan. 1, 2016, will be subject to a five percent /per scan technical component reduction on diagnostic CT procedures billed in physician office and hospital outpatient settings. The reduction will increase to 15 percent Jan. 1, 2017.
"These are part of many systems already, but the legislation is going to spur hospitals to review what they have and if it's not compliant, they will have to consider purchase this year as it will make economic sense."
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