KLAS Ranks 5 High-Field MR Vendors

Orem, UT, August 02, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Magnetic Resonance (MR) continues to be a rapidly evolving diagnostic imaging modality. Although relatively few vendors market high-field, whole-body MR scanners, there is a large group of product options for provider organizations to consider, particularly for 1.5T MRs.

This prompted a number of questions from providers regarding the high-field MR market. Providers are asking which vendors deliver on their commitments, which products deliver on the expected functionality and reliability, and what 3.0T clients are saying about their investment and subsequent experience. KLAS interviewed more that 200 healthcare provider professionals to uncover answers to these and related questions regarding the high-field MR market.

The performance scores for the vendors in the 1.5T MR section of this study are higher than in the 3.0T MR section. The lowest score in the 1.5T section was 81.9, and by comparison the highest 3.0T vendor score was 83.7. This difference in scoring is due to the higher complexities inherent in MR equipment with higher field strength. Not only is 3.0T MR equipment more complex and more powerful, but the service organization must also become knowledgeable of the product as well as the nuances in the support needs that will arise from client organizations with 3.0T MR.

In most cases, the 1.5T MR offerings evaluated in this study scored similarly, or closely, in the advanced imaging areas clients rated in this study. However, there were several differences in performance. When the subject was switched to product reliability and service, participating providers were eager to share the successes and, at times, failures they were experiencing with their respective vendors.

This report investigated both 1.5T MR and 3.0T MR. Vendors qualifying for ranking in the report are GE, Hitachi, Philips, Siemens, and Toshiba.

For more information about this report or other KLAS research, please visit their website.

About KLAS
KLAS is a research firm specializing in monitoring and reporting the performance of healthcare vendors. KLAS’ mission is to improve delivery, by independently measuring vendor performance for the benefit of our healthcare provider partners, consultants, investors, and vendors. Working together with executives from over 4500 hospitals and over 2500 clinics, KLAS delivers timely reports, trends, and statistics, which provide a solid overview of vendor performance in the industry. KLAS measures performance of software, professional services, and medical equipment vendors. For more information, go to www.KLASresearch.com, email marketing@KLASresearch.com, or call 1-800-920-4109 to speak with a KLAS representative.

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All KLAS data and reports are © 2008 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.