Digitisation of hospitals driving demand for medical imaging displays
and cheaper alternatives
27 Sept 2006
London, UK. The market for medical imaging displays is experiencing a
dynamic shift. Digitisation initiatives are creating opportunities and
challenges across Europe, as data and image sharing across hospital
departments and regions becomes an established driver of efficiency. Medical
imaging displays, as an integral part of the digital set-up, are facing the
demands of increased volumes of image transfer.
Frost & Sullivan finds that the Medical Imaging Display Markets in Europe
earned revenues of US$110.2 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach
US$289.4 million in 2012.
"As medical imaging evolves beyond the radiology department, a wider
variety of end-users are demanding to view patient examinations," notes
Frost & Sullivan Team Leader Martin Bryant. "To view these images, a greater
number of medical displays need to be installed, contributing to market
growth and leading to a significant increase in revenues."
Diagnosis by a radiologist is no longer the sole purpose of a medical
image. Digitised hospitals linked to picture archiving and communications
systems (PACS) have democratised imaging, enabling the use of images for
referral, patient consultation, and surgical planning. With displays being
necessary for physical viewing of these images, demand for them is likely to
witness a sharp increase, in line with a wider portfolio of image users.
While the market is witnessing enhanced demand for a wider network of
displays, the need for cost savings is gaining momentum. To this end,
several hospitals are seeking commodity displays for referral purposes.
Further, the lack of concrete, Europe-wide guidelines is encouraging the
adoption of this attitude.
"Financially constrained customers are increasingly seeking justification
for installing non-medical grade displays for secondary or tertiary
reading", remarks Mr. Bryant. "This presents cost savings for end-users but
poses a significant threat to the business of market participants."
Promoting awareness of both, the clinical and long-term financial
benefits that can be gained from the use of medical grade displays, is
crucial for companies desiring sustainable market success. While the surge
in demand for medical imaging displays is driven by hospital digitisation,
the end-user tendency to opt for less expensive, lower specification
commodity displays is a major impediment. Resolving this issue will be
critical in determining future market trajectory.
Medical grade displays fitted with auto-calibration software and remote
performance monitoring will provide long-term image viewing of the highest
quality for efficient diagnosis and referral. Vendors seeking to capitalise
on the need for a greater range of displays, will need to invest resources
in promoting the above to successfully differentiate medial displays from
those in the commodity category.
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