Economic and utilization analysis of MR imaging units in the United States in 1987

The 72 most experienced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging installations were surveyed for operational and economic data from January or February 1987. The typical MR imaging installation was operating 69 hours and examining 58 patients per week, with 82% of the studies being neuroradiologic. The mean fees were $545-$603 for the technical component and $111-$232 for the professional component, with a higher charge for body procedures. The mean annual gross revenues were $1,193,000, and revenues after deductions totaled $1,014,000. Estimated expenses for a typical MR imaging installation were $968,000, with a net annual revenue of $46,000 or more. Compared with 1985 data from the same study group, weekly patient volume and hours of operation have increased--from 35 to 58 patients and from 54 to 69 hours. Installations are more efficient, as the number of patients examined per hour has increased from 0.6 to 0.8. Demand for MR imaging is growing, as the outpatient scheduling delay has increased from 5.3 to 11.4 days. The financial position of MR imaging units has markedly improved from a previous loss of $460,000 to an estimated current gain of +46,000 or more annually. MR imaging installations have shown improvement by several objective criteria - patient throughput, operational efficiency, and financial net revenues.