A new report from the Association of Healthcare Technology Providers for Imaging, Radiotherapy & Care (AXREM) highlights the ‘worrying’ state of diagnostic imaging equipment in the UK.
A survey of AXREM member organisations found that 55% of CT scanners in the UK are more than 5 years old, with 12% being over 10 years old.
This contradicts the ‘Golden Rules’ set out by the COCIR, the European trade association for imaging and therapy equipment manufacturers, which state:
- At least 60% of the installed equipment base should be less than five years old.
- No more than 30% of the installed equipment base should be between six to ten years old.
- No more than 10% of the age profile should be more than ten years old.
The report also highlights research undertaken by the Clinical Imaging Board, of which the Society and College of Radiographers is a member, which showed that 56% of MR scanners were over 5 years old whilst 29% were over 10.
“Increasingly, rapid incremental innovation offers benefits for a growing and ageing population. However, there is a serious lag in implementation,” states the report.
“If we want societal benefits for all patients equally, then all stakeholders must urgently address this delay.
“AXREM calls upon healthcare providers to focus on dose reduction and optimisation when replacing ageing equipment in order to enhance patient safety.”
For further reading, visit the Clinical Imaging Board website.