Downstate Diagnostic Laboratories Corporation provides CT imaging services to Peoria Urological Associates and Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat.

Choosing CT and HiSpeed CT/e

We began considering CT due to a large backlog of CT scanning in our community. Lack of available CT scans and bone scans were delaying treatment of our patients. So we considered CT to expedite exams and improve the continuity of patient care.

At first we were not sure about CT, due to its perceived costs. After investigating the number of patients we were referring out for CT's, we realized it was a viable option for our practice.

"So we considered CT to expedite exams and improve the continuity of patient care."

As we considered various vendors, GE immediately came to the fore. I had a strong relationship with GE Ultrasound. I know GE spends money on research and development, and always stays up with the latest and greatest technologies. I knew, in buying [GE's HiSpeed CT/e], we would get quality, service, and the strong GE backing, to which I'd become accustomed.

All in all, CT/e met the most important criteria we sought.

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Financial

Given the current economic landscape in the medical community, physicians need to find new ways to generate income - new revenue centers. CT is a great hidden revenue center - rarely considered in the past. And, in reality, bringing in CT/e is not very difficult.

The nature and number of exams we required and their associated payment rates (which were at or above average), combined with the low initial investment, made buying CT/e very attractive. There was a much lower financial break-even point than in other modalities.

"CT is a great hidden revenue center - rarely considered in the past. And, in reality, bringing in CT/e is not very difficult."

CT sets our clinic apart from other practices. The financial outlook for us is much more positive because of CT. Our professional outlook has received a similar boost through CT/e, as well. Our facility attracts patients and practitioners alike. Patients want to be treated with the latest technology. Physicians are attracted to the practice because of the clinical opportunity to provide better patient care. With CT/e, we have an opportunity to grow our practice both financially and professionally.

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Clinical Benefits

The financial benefits absolutely breed clinical freedom. The cost savings we generate with CT/e frees-up additional revenue, which allows us to ultimately, in effect, subsidize other clinical healthcare initiatives like special studies and additional nursing. You can see there's a clear benefit for both the patient and physician. Patients are definitely feeling the impact. They tell us our clinics are 'state of the art' and 'well run.'

"Patients are definitely feeling the impact. They tell us our clinics are 'state of the art' and 'well run.' "

In addition, the more you can do with a single patient at a single facility, the greater the ability to maintain patient confidentiality. This is important to the privacy of all patients, but especially to high-profile patients (such as other physicians).

The ability to view and manipulate images is especially important to an ENT physician, insofar that it facilitates diagnosis.

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Overall Impressions

CT/e's image quality is excellent.

We have benefited from adding FastRecon, and we also plan to set up independent reviewing stations for our physicians. Doing this allows us to take full advantage of having CT/e in our practice.

"I can definitely say that CT/e has exceeded our expectations...In fact, we have had no problems at all since putting in the machine."

I can definitely say that CT/e has exceeded our expectations. Each exam, from start to finish, can easily be done within a half-hour. We didn't want to have patients sitting on the table while the tube cooled, and we haven't experienced tube-cooling delays at all. In fact, we have had no problems at all since putting in the machine.

There is no reason you need more than CT/e, if you want to handle every day exams.

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