Key result
Early adoption of 64-slice computed tomography by hospitals was related to cardiac patient volume and operating margins, raising concerns about haphazard technology acquisition.
Why the study?
What factors drive the early adoption of 64-slice computed tomography in hospitals?
Observational
What factors drive the early adoption of 64-slice computed tomography in hospitals?
The adoption of 64-slice CT by hospitals is driven by cardiac patient volume and operating margins, raising concerns about premature and haphazard technology acquisition.
Hospitals' early CT adoption tied to volume and margins may skew access; observational data leaves open drivers of rational diffusion.
Technology is a major driver of health care costs. Hospitals are rapidly acquiring one new technology in particular: 64-slice computed tomography (CT), which can be used to image coronary arteries in search of blockages. We propose that it is more likely to be adopted by hospitals that treat cardiac patients, function in competitive markets, are reimbursed for the procedure, and have favorable operating margins. We find that early adoption is related to cardiac patient volume but also to operating margins. The paucity of evidence informing this technology's role in cardiac care suggests that its adoption by cardiac-oriented hospitals is premature. Further, adoption motivated by operating margins reinforces concerns about haphazard technology acquisition.
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Ladapo et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Hospital technology adoption. 64-slice computed tomography (CT) adoption was evaluated on Early adoption of 64-slice CT. Early adoption of 64-slice computed tomography by hospitals was related to cardiac patient volume and operating margins, raising concerns about haphazard technology acquisition.
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