Over the recent years, around 75 million CT scans have been performed annually in the US, a number that is expected to continue to reach 84 million by 2022, according to iData Research.
Patient awareness is one of the key drivers of the growing number of CT scan procedures and other non-invasive medical imaging technologies. This is particularly true for individuals with a strong [family] history of cancer and other debilitating diseases who can benefit from early detection and diagnosis, which in turn increases the success rate of their treatments.
However, doctors would not perform CT scans and other medical procedures without a substantial medical benefit or if these are not medically indicated.
Patients should bear in mind that the physicians’ job is not only to diagnose a disease and perform treatments but also to determine whether a test is medically warranted in the first place.
With the advent of the Internet, today’s patients are more aware of their options when it comes to healthcare and treatment. Furthermore, they demand a patient-centric experience that includes non-invasive procedures that provide quick and accurate results.
Patients are also aware of the radiation risk that comes with CT scans, prompting them to choose providers that adjust the settings of their scanners based on their body size and age. For children, it is particularly important to limit their radiation exposure because of their small frame and increased sensitivity to radiation.
Modern CT scanners can provide optimal image quality even at lower radiation levels, says leading mobile CT provider Catalina Imaging.
To further promote high patient satisfaction, Catalina Imaging encourages good communications between patients and their healthcare providers, adding that patient experience also plays a significant role in adherence to treatment and its effectiveness and outcomes.
GE Healthcare also echoes Catalina Imaging’s stance on empowering patients and improving communications to provide them with a better experience.
On its website, GE Healthcare states that technologists should perform these guidelines to improve patient experience:
Today’s CT scanners can scan through large areas of the body in just a few seconds, even with lower levels of radiation and contrast dye. Such speed has been tied to improved patient experience, according to several surveys.
Another notable advancement in medical imaging procedures is the use of mobile CT scanners, which are housed within a trailer that allows them to move from one medical facility to the next.
Mobile CT scanners have made quality healthcare more accessible to patients in rural areas who were initially forced to travel long distances to go to city hospitals.
Catalina Imaging has been at the forefront of the campaign for a better patient experience during medical imaging procedures. Through their nationwide fleet of mobile CT scanners, they have been helping healthcare facilities make medical imaging tests more accessible to residents near them.
Their service and storage locations are in Loomis CA, Upland CA, Forest Lake MN, Mokena IL, and Statesville NC.
For more information, you can call them at (844) 949-1664 or send an email at info@catalinaimaging.
