Has there ever been a more exciting time to be a radiologist?
As the demand for quality MR imaging continues to increase, advances in MRI technology are allowing MR suites to work better, faster, more efficiently, and more responsibly than ever before. 1-5
Such advances are welcome. As the population continues to age, the demand for MRI services to continues to grow. The radiology industry is projected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% from 2024 to 2030.1-4
This steady growth will occur despite ongoing shortages in radiology professionals,5-7 adding another dimension to the benefits of innovation. As technological improvements save staff time and effort, these innovations may help bridge the gaps between increased demand for imaging services and fewer human resources available to meet those demands.5-8
In fact, radiology practices that are pursuing the newest MRI technologies are not only striving to improve the care of their patients, they’re seeking to streamline workflows, improve staff satisfaction, and help contribute to a more sustainable planet, all of which can help them emerge as leaders in the field.5-8
Here are some MRI innovations worth noting and pursuing in your practice for 2025 and beyond:
AI: All Systems Go
Artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a radiology revolution, one that’s already underway. Having a transformative effect on MR patient care, AI is being used to enhance visual acuity and image quality, enabling radiologists to make informed decisions at an even faster pace and with less contrast media.2-5
Plus, AI programs are being harnessed to automate critical workflow components, saving practices valuable time, and allowing radiology teams to focus more on patient care and diagnostic accuracy. 2-5
Also, AI systems can now populate essential patient data, medical history information, patient demographics, and prior studies, helping make the entire workflow process more efficient, and helping pave the way for faster diagnoses for more patients than ever.2-5
Moreover, AI systems are being used to autofill measurements directly from technologists’ worksheets or structured reports. This helps minimize time spent on manual input and can help limit the possibility for errors. Plus, AI can automate the quality checks that help maintain the accuracy of the data that gets entered.2-5
The individuals who appear are for illustrative purposes. All persons depicted are models and not real patients or healthcare professionals.
Advanced MR Contrast and Injector Systems
Along with innovations in machine learning and predictive analytics, radiology practices are also adopting advances in MR contrast media and injector technologies. These innovations hold the promise of streamlining workflows, while letting suites maintain best practices, so professionals can get more work done in substantially less time.9
Innovations in MR contrast injectors include syringeless options that allow for more efficient contrast management, less time spent refilling syringes, and less overall contrast being wasted. Other advances include more streamlined user interface screens, fewer plastic replacement parts, easier system portability, and less prep time.9
These advances in injector technologies can help free up technologists’ time so that they can focus more on patient care. Plus, these innovations can help in the management of overall healthcare costs, as well as make positive contributions to the health of the planet.9
Innovations in MR contrast media will continue as well, allowing radiologists to tailor protocols across variety of indications, and continue to lead to informed decision making, confident treatment plans, and healthy outcomes.
Addressing Staff Satisfaction
Finally, as MRI innovations save clinicians time and effort, radiology practices hope these advances can have a positive impact on staff satisfaction and employee retention. MR innovations that make life easier for clinicians hold the promise of helping address the burdens related to staff shortages, could impact overall work-related stress, and help MR suites ultimately improve job satisfaction and retain happier employees.6-8
Working better, faster, more efficiently, and more responsibly in 2025—these are the goals worth striving for in today’s advanced MR suite.
As new advances continue to drive proficiency and performance, the key to leveraging these innovations is the ability to adapt quickly. By partnering with companies that are well suited to on-board your staff with these new technologies, your MR suite can make smooth transitions, upgrade care, and continue to make a difference in the lives of your patients.
The individuals who appear are for illustrative purposes. All persons depicted are models and not real patients or healthcare professionals.
