Controlling technology costs as integrated networks expand

The expansion of integrated healthcare networks is changing the way radiology technology should be acquired and maintained. Some significant effects are that utilization will decline with managed care; the radiology department is now a cost center, not a source of revenue; and integrated networks find themselves with redundant technology and excess radiology equipment. While hospitals shoulder additional financial risk associated with managed care, responsibility for finding solutions to new problems falls to the radiology administrator. Administrators can take the following steps to effectively reduce expense and risk: Understand current usage. Eliminate redundancies. Prioritize modalities. Find new financing opportunities. Lease equipment. Purchase reconditioned equipment. Redeploy assets instead of buying new. Radiology administrators who view these problems as a challenging puzzle will naturally explore creative options. They will provide the greatest flexibility and best position for their department's contributions to the hospital's overall strategic goals.