Buying Refurbished
CT and MRI Scanners
When purchasing a
replacement CT or MRI scanner there are many factors to take into
consideration: imaging capabilities, ease of use, preferred manufacturers and
of course price. Whilst the first three of these factors are clinically
important, the cost implication is often the over-riding factor.
For many hospital
groups, the replacement of a scanner is done infrequently, thus ageing systems
can be ten or more years old. The imaging requirements of clinicians can
advance much faster than equipment replacement programmes, and whilst existing
scanners may still be functioning adequately they may have past their
preferred 'use-by date' five or more years ago.
So is there a
solution to this chasm between spending the large part of a
million Pounds, or putting up with a ten-year-old scanner? Yes, according to
Colco Scientific director, Colin Shandley. "Purchasing refurbished CT and
MRI scanners is becoming more accepted in the European market," says
Shandley. "For many years, hospitals in the United States, South America,
Middle East, Africa and Asia have embraced the concept of re-manufactured
imaging equipment. However, the UK has been a very different market,
principally accepting only brand new systems."
However,
with many recent systems now available (2004 onwards) on the European market,
savings can be very substantial. Coupled with the possibility of the existing
CT or MRI systems being taken in part-exchange, the savings can be further
increased.
There are a
number of specialist companies in Europe who professionally refurbish scanners
and can install in the UK. This option is a viable way of updating one of the
most crucial parts of a hospital, on a more frequent basis. The purchase of a
3-4 year-old system is a very significant saving on a new scanner, and with
the addition of the latest software version and updated computing modules the
imaging performance can be brought close to that of a new system.
Colco Scientific
has been active in the pre-owned imaging equipment market for many years and
is able to assist UK hospitals identify suppliers of high quality CT and MRI
across Europe. Their website, www.colco.co.uk,
has details of their services. In addition, Colco can advise on making
the most of the trade-in value of existing scanners.
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RAD Magazine article 2
