Medical Imaging Diagnostic Boon Projected
Allied Market Research released a report in May, 2016 that says the world medical imaging market will reach $45 billion by 2022. This can’t happen without innovations reaching the marketplace and proving their worth, and it’s a reality being reported by vendors and providers alike.
Technological advancements, an increase in chronic diseases that require the use of medical imaging technology and a heightened awareness of the impact that early diagnostics can have on patient outcomes are driving this boon, according to the report. However, there is some detraction to consider down the road, including a lack of helium, which comes into play in the healthcare setting, and issues regarding ongoing reimbursement challenges.
According to the report, X-ray imaging systems in 2015 were among the highest revenue-generators in the industry. They accounted for around a quarter of market revenue. Mammography systems are expected to see substantial growth, as are cardiovascular and thoracic applications up to at least 2022.
Of the key players in the healthcare technology space, GE, Philips, Hitachi, Siemens, Samsung, Toshiba, Fujifilm, Esaote and Shimadzu are the leaders. While these are mostly household names in areas outside of imaging, there are far smaller players lending to the growth of the medical imaging industry, including cloud-based vendors offering image management solutions.
The growth in technological advancements is certainly a welcomed addition to the medical imaging space, so too are the vendors offering flexibility in archiving and accessing medical imaging.
In some ways, technological advancements can work against smaller players, such as critical access hospitals, which actually provide a vital healthcare resource to rural regions of the United States. In fact, there are more than 2,000 of them throughout the country, and they deserve the medical imaging resources just as much as large hospital groups in urban areas.
Unfortunately, a lack of resources, both in budgets and personnel, provide challenges to these regional providers. Fortunately, there are cloud-based solutions available to them that offer a number of advantages, including better business continuity solutions as well as security in the way of disaster recovery protocols. Furthermore, these facilities can skirt around the access issues that plague facilities under the thumb of proprietary technology.
The report from Allied Market Research actually touches on the fact that the high cost of imaging technologies can affect the ability of some providers to grow in the medical imaging arena. But with access to cloud-based image storage solutions that are scalable and cost-effective, the issue can be held to the imaging machinery itself and not to the archiving mechanisms, such as PACS.
The best vendors are offering DICOM storage solutions using VNA technology. OffSite Image Management, Inc. is a vendor focused on providing a 360-degree solution that includes better access to medical imaging by using top-notch technology, but without pricing the rural markets out of a solution. Contact us today and let’s discuss your imaging needs.