HealthManagement, Volume 15 - Issue 1, 2015

The breast screening landscape is changing rapidly as providers seek to increase cancer detection and decrease screening recalls. Tomosynthesis is increasing its uptake in the USA, and breast density legislation is increasing awareness and use of breast ultrasound. KLAS Research surveyed providers on their choice of vendor currently and in the future, in Breast Imaging 2014: Finding a Partner for the Future.

 

The KLAS report is based on the opinions of 183 healthcare providers, who were asked about digital mammography, mammography information systems (MIS), whole breast ultrasound and future plans for MIS and tomosynthesis.

 

Digital Mammography

At the time of the survey, Hologic was the only vendor in the U.S. offering tomosynthesis, and for Hologic customers upgrading is based on the Selenia Dimensions 2D platform. gE has recently been FDA approved. Costs for upgrading and the need to pay for a special reading workstation would be applicable to some providers. Despite these extra costs, providers were content with the return on investment, and felt they were getting their money’s worth. 100% of Hologic customers would choose Hologic again, reporting that Hologic is a true breast imaging partner and also that it is the technology leader in tomosynthesis.

 

Siemens and Fujifilm, while not yet offering tomosynthesis in the U.S., will have an upgrade path to tomosynthesis when the technology is FDA approved. 81% of Siemens customers chose Siemens as their top choice. Several providers said they were looking forward to Siemens’ new tomosynthesis unit and would choose that machine when it came to purchase.

 

Fujifilm customers were surveyed, but the limited numbers did not meet KLAS Konfidence levels.

 

Whole Breast Ultrasound

21% of the providers KLAS interviewed said they planned to purchase whole-breast ultrasound. Only 8% said they were already using it. However, those using it cited the benefits of no radiation dose, consistency of scans and ease of training staff to use it.

 

Mammography Information Systems

Providers were more satisfied with specialist MIS vendors over using their RIS. Providers reported that MRS and PenRad offer better mammography functionality overall than RIS vendors.

 

The full report Breast Imaging 2014: Finding a Partner for the Future is available from KLAS Research, www.klasresearch.com

 

About KLAS Research

KLAS works with over 30,000 people in 5,000 hospitals and nearly 3,000 ambulatory organisations. KLAS sources its information predominantly from the United States. KLAS data and reports represent the combined opinions of actual people from provider organizations comparing how their vendors, products, and/or services performed when measured against participants’ objectives and expectations.

 

KLAS findings are a unique compilation of candid opinions and are real measurements representing those individuals interviewed.