Cost considerations in the provision of magnetic resonance imaging services

Data from the Australian MRI Assessment Program, which involved five public hospitals, are presented covering the second year of operation at each MRI unit when stable conditions of service provision had become established. The data relate to two 1.5T superconductive units, one 1.0T superconductive unit and two 0.3T resistive magnetic resonance imaging units. A review of the cost data suggests the need for the operation of expensive facilities for extended periods with careful patient selection in order to reduce the average cost per scan and to maximise the clinical benefit to patients. There were variations in the conditions of use of the equipment between the differing centres and there will be a need for a consensus on optimum levels of matters such as operating times and staffing levels. As the results from the MRI Assessment Program were obtained in a teaching hospital environment with a particular referral pattern, the benefits of the technology in other situations will need further consideration.