Imaging Modality Purchasing Trends 2017 (Smaller Organizations)
Small Market Remains Wide Open

1. NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF PROVIDERS CHOOSING GE HEALTHCARE OR SIEMENS FOR FUTURE BIG IRON (CT/MR) PURCHASES

Durability, high image quality, and a perceived higher level of technology have led the lion's share of smaller organizations to choose Siemens and GE Healthcare in their CT and MR purchasing. Philips trails distantly, with only 17% of providers expressing interest. These providers consider Philips due to contracting advantages and innovative CT and MR technology. Questions about Toshiba Medical's future have given potential customers pause, leading to little expected growth for the vendor. Though some providers are still interested in Hitachi's open-bore MR, it no longer holds the sway it once did, and providers are engaging other vendors for their MR needs.

2. NINE IN TEN PROVIDERS CHOOSING FOCUSED VENDORS FOR FUTURE X-RAY NEEDS—CARESTREAM AND SHIMADZU LEAD THE WAY

With a wide selection of x-ray vendors to choose from, providers are being drawn nearly exclusively to specialty vendors. Of these, Carestream and Shimadzu lead in product performance, product quality, and supportive relationships. Quality problems with some of GE Healthcare's newer mobile units as well as an eroding legacy customer base have led to an exodus of GE x-ray customers; GE is the only vendor with negative net growth. No interviewed organizations are considering GE or Toshiba Medical for their future x-ray needs, and interest in Siemens and Philips is very limited. Providers remain hesitant to commit to Canon or Samsung, who have little market share.

3. PROVIDERS SURPRISINGLY QUIET ON TOSHIBA MEDICAL

Toshiba Medical has traditionally been a strong option for smaller organizations, but presently, potential customers are in a holding pattern. No customers report plans to increase the use of Toshiba in MR, CV/IR, or x-ray, and few express excitement around either the technology or the relationship. Toshiba Medical was recently acquired by Canon, and customers of both companies are anxious to see what the impacts of this change will be.

4. HOLOGIC DOMINATES MAMMOGRAPHY WITH SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Hologic's lead in mammography remains substantial, with a predicted sharp increase in purchasing among smaller organizations. Providers overwhelmingly choose Hologic as their women's imaging vendor because they feel the technology and support benefits far outweigh any benefits that could come from consolidating to a single vendor with either GE Healthcare or Siemens. Providers view Hologic as the only vendor that delivers industry-leading technology and a noticeable impact on patient outcomes. Hologic's customer relationships go beyond product support to being true partnerships for provider success.

Designer
Jess Wallace-Simpson