A planning model for regional systems of CT scanners

For the last couple of years the number of CT scanners has increased considerably in the Federal Republic of Germany. This development has led to regional disparities in the provision of CT scanner installations. For the purpose of evaluating additional locations for CT scanners a planning model is proposed. The model contains two planning options: the number of CT scanners and the regional distribution of scanner locations. It allows one to calculate overall operation costs and transportation costs, as well as additional criteria relevant to decisions about regional systems of CT scanners. The model has been applied to the northeast of Baden-Württemberg. One of the interesting findings is that an increase in the number of CT scanners may result in lower total costs for a regional system of CT scanners.