National survey of computed tomography unit capacity: an update. Special report.
In a survey of CT scanner capacity begun in 1978, data from 521 scanners showed that only 39% had the capacity to perform 2,500 CT examinations per year (which was then the national guideline), while 64% could handle 3,000 head-equivalent CT (HECT) examinations per year. An update based on data from 913 CT scanners reveals that these figures have increased to 66% and 72%, respectively. CT units are now staffed 55.7 hours per week, up from 52.4 hours in 1978, and 77% of this time is available for patient use compared with 75% in 1978. Since 1978 the relative number of patients scanned has increased more than the number of hours of examination time, reflecting a substantial increase in the efficiency of CT systems.
D006306:Health Surveys; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce