PET/CT

“Partnering with Alliance has helped us to bring state-of-the-art PET/CT technology to both our patients and clinicians. The flexibility of this PET/CT partnership gives Jordan Hospital the ability to provide essential services that allow patients to be treated in their own community.”

– James Fanale, MD
Senior Vice President of System Development

The Situation

When PET technology was first introduced more than a decade ago, the cost of the service was high and availability was limited to major city providers. Therefore, during this time, Jordan Hospital referred many cancer patients to metropolitan facilities. Some patients continued their care with these providers, resulting in downstream losses for the hospital.

In January 2002, Jordan Hospital tasked Alliance with the following goals – introduce PET technology at the Cancer Center, grow volume and recapture lost business. In addition, Alliance faced the challenge of educating third-party payors and health insurers about the benefits of these exams, as payors and insurers covered only a small list of indications at the time.

The Solution

Jordan Hospital began offering mobile PET imaging service through Alliance one day a week. Alliance also provided a dedicated marketing representative, customized collateral, access to centralized scheduling and customer support.

When new technology became available, Alliance upgraded to a PET/CT machine. PET/CT shortens exam time for patients and allows radiologists to identify changes in function (PET) and anatomy (CT) with a single exam.

The Results

The Alliance partnership helped Jordan Hospital grow its volume from approximately 250 exams in 2002 to 580 exams in 2009. The hospital also expanded from shared, part-time service to full-time service. This has meant greater flexibility for patients and referring physicians as they schedule appointments.

Due in part to continuous education from Alliance and other service providers, third-party payors and health insurers steadily increased their coverage of PET/CT imaging. Now, Medicare covers exams for initial treatment strategy for all solid tumor types. Alliance continues to educate the physician and hospital communities about PET/CT utilization through
educational campaigns and industry updates.

Despite the highly competitive market for this service, Jordan Hospital’s PET/CT volume continues to grow.

Key Statistics

Overall Volume Growth:
13.2% average annual growth through 2009

Modalities:
PET/CT – GE Discovery ST

Staffing:

• 1 full-time technologist
• 1 full-time patient coordinator
• 1 full-time center manager
• 1 full-time account executive (marketing support)

Space:
1,200 square feet

Accreditations:
Jordan Hospital is accredited by the American College of Radiology in PET/CT.