Study Finds Portable CT Significantly Reduces Cost and Improves Care of ICU Patients

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a Cleveland Clinic study published in the March/April issue of the Journal of the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators, NeuroLogica’s CereTom® Portable Head/Neck multi-slice CT Scanner was found to have a dramatic economic and clinical benefit while imaging Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.

The study, conducted by Thomas Masaryk M.D., Department Chair of Diagnostic Radiology at Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues, concluded that portable head/neck CT scanning:

1. Provided significant savings in terms of cost and time while providing clinicians with diagnostic images equivalent to that of their fixed full body scanners

2. Allowed the fixed conventional scanner to be dedicated for a greater number of outpatient studies by eliminating the bottleneck of time-intensive ICU patients

3. Eliminated clinical dangers associated with the transport of critically ill patients

The researchers based their results on 502 scans performed on ICU patients over a 4 month period. According to the data, fewer personnel were required to conduct a scan which translated into an annual FTE cost savings of $162,512. In addition, with the fixed conventional scanner dedicated to perform a greater number of less time-intensive outpatient studies, an annual increase in revenue of $461,145 on the fixed full body scanner was realized.

The CereTom was installed at Cleveland Clinic in October of 2006 and has provided a full return-on-investment within the first 6.9 months of its operation, an internal rate of return of 169%, and a 5 year expected economic benefit of $2,619,290.

According to this study, Portable CT imaging achieves a total scan time of 18 minutes per patient, as compared to the average of 50 minutes when transporting to the fixed full body scanner. Researchers also noted that portable CT imaging resulted in faster clinical decision-making without compromising the desired nurse-to-patient ratio in the ICU while significantly reducing the risks associated with transport of ICU patients.

“The CereTom is an excellent addition to our Radiology Department,” says Dr. Thomas Masaryk. “It will ensure that we are able to provide the best quality care to our patients. Since receiving the CereTom, we have seen a difference in efficiency of scanning patients at the bedside, and our ability to perform these procedures without having to transport the patient is an important advancement in healthcare.” After reviewing the study, Dr. Eric M. Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder of NeuroLogica Corporation commented, “NeuroLogica is thrilled with the results of this study as it brings us one step closer to our vision of portable CT as a Standard of Care in the ICU.”

About NeuroLogica

NeuroLogica Corporation, located in the Boston metro area, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical imaging equipment for healthcare facilities and private practices worldwide. Established in 2004, NeuroLogica’s founders have over 100 years of combined experience in the design, development and manufacturing of imaging systems including ultrasound, CT, PET, radiation therapy and MRI. Corporate information, clinical images, customer stories, etc. can be found on NeuroLogica’s website at www.neurologica.com.

About Cleveland Clinic

Named one of the top three hospitals in the United States by US News & World Report, Cleveland Clinic is known for its exceptional neuroscience center. The CereTom adds a new dimension of accessibility for its patients, who will benefit from its mobility. The CereTom can be brought bedside into a patient’s room, the intensive care unit, operating room, emergency room and is able to provide top quality images immediately to maximize the standard of care for patients.