From the January/February 2019 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

The future of AI across all imaging technologies is far reaching, but one of the main concerns to address with AI is the detection of anomalies across the radiology spectrum. The goal of these software applications is not to replace the radiologists, but to assist them in reducing their day-to-day reading times, which can improve workflow and productivity. This increased efficiency can improve patient outcomes, as many radiology exams take an average of 24 to 72 hours to read, at best, and longer in some cases. This can mean critical time wasted between diagnosis and treatment.

As vendors develop more robust AI and deep learning platforms to read images, another goal is to read ahead and catch anomalies, which can help reduce the number of reading errors and misdiagnosis resulting from the speed with which radiologists must read images. While some skeptics in the industry have concerns that AI could eventually take the place of the radiologist and eliminate the need for human interaction, that is a farfetched notion. AI and deep learning will no doubt expand in the coming months and years, but they may not be able to detect every nodule, lesion, and anomaly that comes across an image. That is where the experience and skill of the radiologist comes into play, along with the diagnostic workflow process. AI is meant to assist with the current imaging IT workflow – not replace it.


With all this excitement around AI and deep learning, many of these software applications come with a hefty price tag. Over the past 12 months, MD Buyline clients’ interest in purchasing an enterprise imaging solution or replacing their legacy PACS system has slowed down significantly, while upgrade purchases have been stable. The cost of replacing current PACS systems and budgetary restrictions is keeping many facilities from making the switch. Pricing for imaging IT systems is highly variable, hinging on configuration and dependent on each facility’s specific needs. According to the MD Buyline database, customers can expect to pay anywhere from $500,000 to more than $1,100,000 for a complete imaging IT solution.

About the author: Prior to joining MD Buyline as an analyst in 2008, Julie Johnson worked in account management, accounting, and financial planning. At MD Buyline, she serves as an analyst, providing support to the clinical analysts and helping MD Buyline members make informed purchasing decisions. Johnson supports the teams for neurology, radiology, OR, linear accelerators, stereotactic radiosurgery, mammography systems, biopsy systems, radiographic systems, portable radiographic systems, fluoroscopy, and computed radiography capital equipment codes.

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