KLAS Report Examines Radiation Dose
Providers share dose reduction best practices and reveal the perceived low-dose industry leader

OREM, UT, December 14, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In this year's KLAS CT report, "CT 2011: Focused on Dose," providers shared what they are doing to help keep patients safe from radiation dose exposure. Protocols are the key to dose reduction best practices, and providers report that they are working with radiologists, physicists, and technologists to rework protocols for procedure type. Specifying protocols for the height and weight of patients is another step in standardizing the process.

While providers are taking much of the dose reduction work on themselves, vendor involvement also plays a role. "Thirty-eight percent of providers in this study feel that Siemens is the low dose leader, followed closely by GE at 32 percent. On the other hand Toshiba and Philips trail the top two vendors, both with only 15 percent of the provider votes. Siemens' commitment to research and development and technology help Siemens standout as the leader in the low dose perception," said Kirk Ising, report author.

Overall performance sees a shake-up from last year with GE and Siemens slipping past Toshiba to take a number one spot. GE's LightSpeed 64 unseats Toshiba Aquilion 64's longstanding top rating in the 64-slice CT market. The Siemens Definition FLASH squeaks past the Toshiba Aquilion ONE for a win in the next generation group.

"Though Toshiba is not first this year, they ranked second by very slim margins. They have been known for service and support and set the bar for the other vendors in that area. Over the last couple of years they have slipped a bit from their high bar in account management and proactive service," said Ising.

Philips and Hitachi are also shaking things up with new product offerings. Philips, who has suffered from some problems with the Brilliance line, has introduced the Ingenuity. The buzz around that new CT is gaining momentum. Hitachi, who is typically known for their service and support in the MR realm, recently received FDA clearance for the SCENARIA, their first 64-slice CT offering for the U.S. market.

To learn more about the CT market and the strengths and weaknesses of the measured vendors, the report "CT 2011: Focused on Dose," is available to healthcare providers at a significant discount off the standard retail price. To purchase, providers and vendors can visit www.KLASresearch.com/reports.

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Andrea Morrill
KLAS
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