June 25, 2018 — IMV, part of the Science and Medicine Group and a market research and business intelligence provider to the imaging industry, announced the category winners of the 2017-18 IMV ServiceTrak in PET Imaging. Philips North America was the winner in the Best Service category, while GE Healthcare came out on top in Best Customer Satisfaction.
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is a highly sensitive form of molecular imaging (nuclear medicine) which uses radioactive pharmaceuticals to measure chemical changes occurring in the body before physical signs of disease can be detected. Because of the energy produced by the positron emission, PET is more sensitive than traditional nuclear medicine imaging. Most PET scanners are combined with computed tomography (CT) to receive PET and CT images at the same time, with the PET image showing metabolism and the function of cells and the CT image showing anatomical details. With a combination of these two scanning technologies, a PET-CT scan helps physicians to more accurately diagnose and localize cancer, brain disorders, and some heart disease.
In 2017, an estimated 1.9 million clinical PET scans were performed in over 2,400 locations using fixed PET scanners or mobile services. Over 90 percent of these scans were performed:
- To detect cancer;
- To determine if cancer has spread;
- To access the effectiveness of a cancer treatment plan; or
- To determine if a cancer has returned after treatment.
PET scanners are an essential tool in the early detection and treatment of cancer.
IMV produces an annual series of proprietary ServiceTrak Imaging reports derived from extensive phone interviews with imaging professionals in hospital departments and independent imaging centers in the U.S. Imaging professionals are asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the equipment manufacturers, system performance and the service received for their imaging equipment. Satisfaction ratings are collected on a 10-point scale, where 10 equals "excellent" and 1 equals "very poor". Report analysis is based on the percentage of highly satisfied (%HS) responses which are represented by satisfaction ratings of a 9 or 10 on this scale.
The ServiceTrak Imaging awards are presented to the manufacturer with the highest %HS in each of three categories, representing the Industry Best Of: Customer Satisfaction, System Performance and Service. The Best Of Customer Satisfaction award is given to the manufacturer who has the highest %HS responses when asked to rate the likelihood they will purchase again from their current manufacturer. The Best Of System Satisfaction award is given to the manufacturer whose customers have the highest %HS responses when asked to rate their overall system performance. The Best Of Service award is given to the manufacturer whose customers give the highest %HS responses when asked to rate overall OEM service performance.
The 2017-18 ServiceTrak PET awards are based on interviews conducted in 2017 with respondents in 275 unique imaging locations having 289 PET systems.
For more information: www.imvinfo.com