OREM, UT – Just as insurance carriers are scrutinizing the higher cost of a CT scan versus that of an ultrasound for diagnostic screenings, patients are becoming aware of and concerned about the amount of radiation delivered by a CT scan. This is leading to an increased number of ultrasounds being performed in several medical situations. KLAS's Ultrasound 2011-Innovation on the Move investigates a number of ultrasound vendors-what they offer and how that offering aligns with the diverse and expanding needs of healthcare providers.

"Providers, determined to respond to the concerns of both patients and insurance companies, must know they can count on ultrasound technology that will perform well across multiple specialties," noted Emily Crane, author of the report. "They want a system that is easy to move, because the anticipated increase in use means ultrasound scans will be performed across diverse departments throughout a facility."

The 237 respondents, 73 percent of whom are either radiologists or sonographers working in facilities with 500 beds or less, named the six ultrasound vendor firms they currently work with: GE, Hitachi, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba, and ZONARE. Philips and GE are performing extremely well with their newest customers and are seeing early adoption of new technologies and procedures.

Of the top three ranked performers-GE, Toshiba, and Philips-the most satisfied customers belong to GE and Philips. Although reported costs are on the high end, GE received the highest marks for overall image quality while still being mobile enough for most providers. One hundred percent of GE customers say they would buy the LOGIQ E9 again. Philips customers generally feel the units perform very well on most scan types and offer excellent technology; however, the system's mobility is not highly rated. And although Toshiba customers are generally pleased with cost, reliability, and image quality, newer customers are not as happy with implementation and training. They too are less satisfied with mobility and the ease of use.

"New research presented at the 2011 American Institute of Ultrasound annual meeting revealed that partially substituting ultrasound for CT scans in evaluating appendicitis alone could save the U.S. healthcare system more than $1.2 billion annually," said Crane. "This is financially significant and should lead to greater numbers of ultrasound scans being performed. Providers need to determine what matters most to them, and then select the ultrasound system that will best satisfy their imaging requirements."

Ultrasound customers are always looking for new technology, and the 'buzz' in 2011 is focused around breast imaging, but there are a number of benefits to consider. Some providers want low prices, dependable service, and thorough training. Others are looking for technical innovations such as image fusion, elastrography, and 3D/4D applications. As providers ramp up and broaden their use of ultrasounds across specialties, it will be easier for them to determine which services they value most highly.

For more information about the general ultrasound equipment market, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of measured vendors, Ultrasound 2011-Innovation on the Move is available to healthcare providers online for a significant discount off the standard retail price. To purchase, healthcare providers and vendors can visit www.KLASresearch.com/reports.

About KLAS
KLAS is a research firm specializing in monitoring and reporting the performance of healthcare vendors. KLAS' mission is to improve delivery, by independently measuring vendor performance for the benefit of our healthcare provider partners, consultants, investors, and vendors. Working together with executives from over 4500 hospitals and over 2500 clinics, KLAS delivers timely reports, trends, and statistics, which provide a solid overview of vendor performance in the industry. KLAS measures performance of software, professional service, and medical equipment vendors. For more information, go to www.KLASresearch.com, email marketing@KLASresearch.com, or call 1-800-920-4109 to speak with a KLAS representative. Follow KLAS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KLASresearch.