Brussels, 7 October 2021: The percentage of medical imaging equipment in Europe that is more than ten years old is alarmingly high, and the broad disparities in equipment density between European countries remain. These are the principal findings in the 2021 edition of the COCIR Medical Imaging Equipment Age Profile and Density. This has potentially negative consequences for patients and for the budgets of healthcare systems, at a time when demand for services will increase as pandemic restrictions begin to relax and seek to catch up to previous levels.
As advocated by COCIR, planning for the renewal of ageing equipment should be a priority for European healthcare systems. As well as the clear benefits for patient safety, innovative medical technologies are now capable of driving integrated patient–centric care pathways that can improve medical consistency, productivity and connectivity. These proven benefits call for increased investments in the latest products and solutions.
COCIR Interim Secretary General Annika Eberstein said; “This broad variation in imaging equipment density between EU Member States is creating inequalities and directly impacting waiting times and delaying access to diagnosis and treatment, with inevitable consequences for patients.”
She added “COCIR has long been urging policymakers and healthcare providers to reverse this negative trend. We call upon Member States and regions to encourage hospitals and healthcare providers to leverage the available EU funding tools and innovative financing models that can support investment in equipment renewal and increase access to innovative medical technologies. The precise detection and accurate diagnosis this provides, which allows for personalised treatment with faster and better outcomes for patients, offers the most effective way to contain costs for healthcare systems.”
COCIR has been tracking changes in the age profile of their installed base of medical imaging equipment since the 1990s. It has created a set of ‘Golden Rules’ in 2003 which – if followed – ensure that the age profile of the installed base is an appropriate mix for the demands of a modern healthcare system.
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About COCIR
COCIR is the European Trade Association representing the medical imaging, radiotherapy, health ICT and electromedical industries. Founded in 1959, COCIR is a non-profit association headquartered in Brussels (Belgium) with a China Desk based in Beijing since 2007. COCIR is unique as it brings together the healthcare, IT and telecommunications industries.
www.cocir.org
For more information, contact:
Annika Eberstein
COCIR Interim Secretary General
Tel: +32 (0)2 706 8961
eberstein@cocir.org
Colin Mackay
COCIR Communications Senior Advisor
Tel: +32 (0) 473 43 07 52
press@cocir.org