Study: Shifting imaging to outpatient centers could save billions

Editor's Note

Moving radiology services from hospitals to outpatient centers could slash healthcare costs by billions annually while improving patient care, according to a March 3 Radiology Business News report on a study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).

The study found that shifting just 10% of hospital-based services to outpatient settings could save an estimated $125 billion annually—more than double the total annual expenditure for physician care, Radiology Business News reports. Additionally, the study suggests that up to 25% of hospital-based imaging services could move to outpatient centers.

In an accompanying video interview, Dr David A. Rosman, deputy chief of radiology enterprise service at Mass General Brigham, explained that Mass General Brigham has already surpassed this recommendation, with 83% of its imaging performed outside hospitals.  

Outpatient imaging also improves hospital efficiency and patient access, the outlet reports. As Rosman emphasized, hospital imaging resources should prioritize inpatients and critical cases, while lower-acuity imaging can be performed in outpatient centers. This approach reduces costs, shortens wait times, and enhances patient convenience. Rosman likened the model to surgical care, where major procedures take place in high-acuity hospitals while routine surgeries occur in community settings.

The full report offers more details on the potential and the challenges, such as hospitals relying on imaging revenue resisting the shift.