Operational and financial feasibility of positron emission tomography CT scanner at a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the operational and financial feasibility of setting up a positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) facility at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: Three years data of all the cases potentially referred for PET/CT were collected for the study. Operational feasibility was evaluated in terms of number of potential cases undergoing treatment in the hospital that could have been referred for PET/CT, existing infrastructure for installing PET/CT scanner and manpower available. Financial feasibility was evaluated using Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Payback Period and Profitability Index. A questionnaire-based study was performed among 174 doctors to know their perception of referring to PET/CT.

Results: The most common department referring to PET/CT was oncology (150 cases/month). Compared to capital purchase model, revenue-sharing model generates profit from the first year of operation. Findings of simple payback (5.14 years) period, net present value (positive), internal rate of return (>12%), profitability index (>1%) indicated that the project is feasible. About 60% of doctors preferred to refer patients for PET/CT if established at the hospital.

Conclusion: The set-up of the PET/CT scanner may gain profit and be beneficial to the hospital, according to cost–benefit analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• Financial feasibility
• revenue
• investment
• ownership
• health facilities

Acknowledgments

All the authors have contributed equally in the development of manuscript

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arun Mavaji

Dr. Arun Mavaji is a Medical Administrator and Academician focused on Clinical Excellence and Patient Experience Management by applying principles of Modern Management. He is an avid researcher in areas of Patient Safety and Quality.

Umashankar Raju

Dr. Umashankar Raju with a rich passion for and a decade experience in handling quality management & operations management activities with focus on lean six sigma & more process mapping & implementation with tangential & non-tangential benefits.

K. Suresh

K. Suresh is a fresh graduate into the healthcare field with a passion for research in the areas of operations and quality management techniques, intrigued with report writing.