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Ultrasound 2017
What Vendor Strengths Help Providers Succeed?

author - Monique Rasband
Author
Monique Rasband
author - Alex McIntosh
Author
Alex McIntosh
 
March 23, 2017 | Read Time: 3  minutes

As the ultrasound imaging market continues to expand, so do expectations for innovative technology focused on improving efficiency and usability. With several strong ultrasound imaging options available, providers wonder what separates one vendor from another. Providers interviewed by KLAS felt vendors that consistently offered the newest innovations and effectively communicated were set apart from the rest. Additionally, respondents shared their future purchasing plans for ultrasound, with more plans geared toward point-of-care ultrasound.

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.

what do small organizations feel are their vendors greatest strengths and weaknesses

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.

what do large organizations feel are their vendors greatest strengths and weaknesses

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.

general ultrasound solution strength

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

who are providers using for point of care ultrasoundwho are providers considering for point of care ultrasound

author - Natalie Jamison
Designer
Natalie Jamison
author - Robert Ellis
Project Manager
Robert Ellis
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This material is copyrighted. Any organization gaining unauthorized access to this report will be liable to compensate KLAS for the full retail price. Please see the KLAS DATA USE POLICY for information regarding use of this report. © 2024 KLAS Research, LLC. All Rights Reserved. NOTE: Performance scores may change significantly when including newly interviewed provider organizations, especially when added to a smaller sample size like in emerging markets with a small number of live clients. The findings presented are not meant to be conclusive data for an entire client base.

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