Understanding the Growth in CT Imaging Volumes

Speaker: Olav Christianson

Session Description: CT imaging volumes have been steadily increasing by 8-15% annually over the past few years. This session will explore the factors driving this increase, with a focus on an analysis of over 2 million CT studies collected from hospitals nationwide between 2022 and 2024. Key contributing factors include the expansion of CT scanner availability, leading to greater patient access to imaging services, and an increase in the number of CT scans performed per patient. A significant trend identified in the data is the growing use of advanced CT applications, such as cardiac imaging. While still less common than routine CT studies like head, abdominal, and chest scans, advanced applications are growing at a faster rate. Cardiac CT, in particular, is expanding rapidly due to its critical role in diagnosing cardiovascular disease, which is prompting the need for more scanners due to the complexity and time required for these studies. This session will cover the methodology behind the data analysis, highlight the key findings, and discuss the implications of these trends for healthcare infrastructure, particularly in terms of resource management and future demand. With these expanding volumes and applications, healthcare providers must assess how to allocate resources efficiently and strategically plan for future imaging needs. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving role of CT imaging in advanced applications and its growing impact on healthcare systems.

Learning Objectives:
Identify the key factors driving the annual increase in CT imaging volumes.
Analyze the impact of expanding CT scanner availability on patient access to imaging.
Understand the growing role of advanced CT applications, such as cardiac imaging, in driving increased CT volumes.