IMV: Radiation therapy providers embracing EMRs, IT
Radiation therapy departments nationwide are increasingly interfacing their oncology information systems with an EMR with nearly two-thirds of radiation therapy sites having an EMR or complete patient record available in their oncology information systems, according to IMV Medical Information Division.
This trend is outlined in “2011 Radiation Therapy Market Summary Report” from the Greenbelt, Md.-based market researcher. IMV’s report also predicts the trend toward integrating patient records will continue, with nearly 80 percent of the planned upgrades for purchase of oncology information systems coming from radiation therapy providers incorporating EMR data.
The study shows the continued integration of digital imaging into treatment planning and simulation, and to guide tumor treatment in real-time. Ninety-eight percent of the radiation therapy treatment plans use CT images, with MR and PET images each used by 12 percent of plans, according to Lorna Young, senior director, market research at IMV. CT has displaced x-ray simulators, with CT simulators representing nearly three quarters of the current simulator installed base.
Other notable findings in the report included:
Technologies covered in the report include intensity-modulated radiation therapy, inverse planning, rotational arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and prostate seed therapy. Data for the report came from IMV’s 2010/11 Radiation Therapy Census Database.
This trend is outlined in “2011 Radiation Therapy Market Summary Report” from the Greenbelt, Md.-based market researcher. IMV’s report also predicts the trend toward integrating patient records will continue, with nearly 80 percent of the planned upgrades for purchase of oncology information systems coming from radiation therapy providers incorporating EMR data.
The study shows the continued integration of digital imaging into treatment planning and simulation, and to guide tumor treatment in real-time. Ninety-eight percent of the radiation therapy treatment plans use CT images, with MR and PET images each used by 12 percent of plans, according to Lorna Young, senior director, market research at IMV. CT has displaced x-ray simulators, with CT simulators representing nearly three quarters of the current simulator installed base.
Other notable findings in the report included:
- While the total use of radiation to treat cancer is relatively stable, the proportion of treatments for breast cancer increased from 20 percent in 2007 to 24 percent in 2010.
- One-third of radiation therapy sites are planning to purchase external-beam therapy units, either as a replacement or an additional unit, over the next three years.
- The proportion of sites budgeting $1.5 million or more has grown from 16 percent to 23 percent over the last two years. However, the proportion of sites with zero budgets also increased from one-third to 40 percent.
Technologies covered in the report include intensity-modulated radiation therapy, inverse planning, rotational arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and prostate seed therapy. Data for the report came from IMV’s 2010/11 Radiation Therapy Census Database.
Evan Godt, Writer
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.