#United States #Arlington #PET Imaging Demand #U.S. Facilities #IMV Report

Surge in Demand for PET Imaging Services

In 2024, the demand for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging services in the United States has surged significantly, reflecting an impressive increase of 12.2% compared to the previous year. According to the 2025 PET Market Summary Report published by IMV Medical Information Division, this dramatic rise in procedure volumes is putting considerable pressure on the existing imaging infrastructure across the nation, calling for immediate attention and strategic planning among healthcare providers.

Current Capacity Utilization

While there has been a notable increase in the number of PET procedures conducted, the average utilization rate of installed fixed PET/CT systems has also seen a rise, reporting an 8.2% increase in scans per system. This trend indicates that many facilities are currently maximizing their existing capacities to meet the heightened demands. Davin Korstjens, the Director of Market Intelligence at IMV Medical Information Division, emphasized that while this efficiency is commendable, it also highlights the urgent need to evaluate and potentially expand future imaging capacities to accommodate growing patient needs more effectively.

Variability in PET Scan Readings by Facility Size

The report revealed an interesting insight into how various facilities handle the increased demand for PET scans. On average, physicians at sites with fixed PET/CT systems read about 336 scans annually. However, this average varies drastically depending on the size of the facility.

• - Facilities with fewer than 200 beds report an average of only 119 scans per physician, while those with over 400 beds reach an average of 567 scans.
• - Other statistics include an average of 260 scans in hospital-owned imaging centers and 285 scans in independent imaging centers.

The study also highlighted that general radiologists read PET scans at 69% of surveyed facilities, followed by nuclear medicine physicians at 51%, and cardiologists/nuclear cardiologists at 11%. The main specialists referring patients for these scans remain medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonologists.

Rising Wait Times for Patients

Another concerning trend reported is the increase in wait times for non-emergency outpatient PET scans. Approximately 40% of the surveyed sites report wait times of eight days or longer, which, although steady year-over-year, has more than doubled since 2019. This substantial increase illustrates the increasing strain PET imaging resources are encountering, hinting at the potential dissatisfaction of patients waiting for diagnostic services.

Future Projections and Capacity Planning

The data suggests that with the combination of longer wait times and heightened utilization of existing facilities, many may need to consider expanding their PET imaging capabilities to keep pace with the increasing demand. Korstjens stated, "The prolonged wait times along with the rising usage indicate that healthcare facilities must explore options for expanding PET imaging resources to ensure timely and efficient care for all patients."

IMV's comprehensive report provides an extensive examination of the U.S. PET imaging landscape, including insights into procedure volumes, equipment availability, service providers, and capacity planning amongst numerous sites. Findings in the report are based on feedback from 509 radiology professionals gathered between February 2024 and January 2025, offering a wealth of information for stakeholders in the imaging sector.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, following emerging trends and insights like those provided by IMV will be crucial for effectively addressing patient needs and maintaining the quality of care.

For detailed insights from the report and to stay updated on the latest trends in diagnostic imaging, visit IMV Medical Information’s LinkedIn page.