Ultrasound 2017
What Vendor Strengths Help Providers Succeed?

1. Philips' and Siemens' Foward-Thinking Innovations Best Improve Workflow Efficiency

Providers are satisfied with their ultrasound vendors; however, Philips and Siemens stand above the rest for their delivery of new technology that improves workflow. Philips’ automated processes and protocols that reduce exam times improve efficiency, while smaller keyboards, excellent 3D imaging, simple user interfaces, and high-end vascular capabilities have caught providers’ attention. Siemens’ latest platform, HELX, delivers a superior color doppler, improved parameters, and transducers that allow for deeper penetration and advanced image quality. Additionally, Siemens improves workflow with protocols that walk end users through images and automatically populated annotations.

2. GE Healthcare Prioritizes Sales over High-Quality Relationships; Toshiba Medical's Support and Product Development Fall Short

Although GE Healthcare and Toshiba Medical bring reliable technology, customers say there is room for improvement for both. Feedback on GE Healthcare’s support is split, with smaller organizations’ expectations for support generally being met; however, larger hospitals (200+ beds) feel that GE’s outsourced support people do not have experience with the LOGIQ E9. Some customers feel GE’s support and communication drop after the sales process and think GE cares more about selling than forming partnerships. Toshiba Medical’s rural customers find support unresponsive in comparison to those located in more densely populated areas. In addition, several providers believe Toshiba’s product development has plateaued and that Toshiba has become a follower rather than an innovator in ultrasound. Toshiba has released a new product, the Aplio i-series, for which KLAS has validated contracted providers. No data for this product was included in the report due to the product release date and limited data.

3. Philips Has Fewest Weaknesses; Siemens' Training for HELX Is Inadequate

Nearly half of Philips’ customers felt their vendor had no weakness that they could point to, while none of Siemens’ customers said the same. Philips’ users who did offer suggestions for improvement gave inconsistent responses that were often attributed to limitations on their end rather than Philips’. Siemens customers do not receive consistent training or help configuring the latest platform, HELX. Siemens’ HELX platform has improved provider workflow, although some clients report that the HELX freezes and that they can be overwhelmed by the learning curve.

4. SonoSite Most Adopted and Considered Vendor for Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound has expanded rapidly. While KLAS did not target organizations using SonoSite, nearly two-thirds of respondents using GE Healthcare, Philips, Siemens, or Toshiba Medical in other ultrasound areas were found to be using SonoSite for their current point-of-care ultrasound. Providers are also considering SonoSite most often for future point-of-care ultrasound requirements, followed distantly by GE Healthcare and Siemens. Mindray is also under consideration by a few organizations.

"We have point-of-care ultrasounds now, but we are having some challenges. . . . The doctors feel that SonoSite has much better equipment for anesthesia, line placement, and nerve blocks. The SonoSite product also has better imaging and is easier to use because there are not so many steps to go through." —Executive Director of Imaging

Designer
Natalie Jamison