Network News: GE Healthcare Strikes Ultrasound Deal to Supply Imaging Systems to St. Luke’s Network

When you run a large regional hospital network with 12 hospitals spanning two states, the need to operate more efficiently is constant. Take St. Luke’s University Health Network in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Exponential growth over the last few years has increased the network’s footprint and the need to standardize care and streamline workflow in its vascular, radiology and echocardiography departments. St. Luke’s has partnered with GE Healthcare to install 76 ultrasound systems before the end of 2020. Valued at $11 million, it is the largest single-order ultrasound deal GE has ever made in the United States.

The heart of the new setup will be GE Healthcare’s LOGIQ E10 for general imaging and Vivid E95 for echocardiography ultrasound machines. Both of these systems connect to an automated reporting and post-processing system called Viewpoint™, as well as Vscan, a handheld ultrasound device that will be used in the cardiology department. The new equipment will produce better image quality faster, which in turn can lead to quicker diagnoses and treatment for patients. Viewpoint alone is expected to save St. Luke’s $300,000 a year in radiologist efficiency gains, and GE Healthcare has agreed to continue upgrading the system for the next four years.

“The consistency of ultrasound systems across the network will allow accurate replication of patient studies, which would otherwise be challenging when working with different brands,” said Dr. Hal L. Folander, senior vice president, chief medical strategy officer and network chairman of the department of radiology at St. Luke’s. “Through our partnership with GE Healthcare, we will maintain this state-of-the-art technology for years to come.”

Everett Cunningham, president and CEO of GE Healthcare for the U.S. and Canada, said St. Luke’s “will immediately enhance its staff and patient experience and enable cost savings. This upgrade arrangement over the next four years means it can maintain its fleet with the latest technology developments.”

Top image: Part of the ultrasound deal with St. Luke's University Health Network will include GE Healthcare’s Vivid E95 for echocardiography ultrasound machine.  Image credit: GE Healthcare