Our existing Philips Echocardiograph machines are seriously outdated, each being over 10 years old. These devices are 3rd and 4th generation machines. At CCRMC, we have an extremely challenging population to image, given marked obesity, a lot of COPD, ICU patients that cannot turn and are ventilated, and inability of patients to lie flat or maneuver due to coexisting illnesses. Poor image quality leads to missed diagnoses and to excess time spent by the Echocardiograph technicians trying to capture better quality images with the old machinery, often to no avail. Echocardiologists are at times not able to provide a confident read of even something as basic as ejection fraction, when asked to do so. We have to use contrast on obese and other patient's studies to enhance image quality, and this is over $100 per patient. We would not have to do this with the better image quality of newer (second generation) machines. Purchasing this equipment direct from Philips will enable us to utilize our Med Asset group purchasing organization discount pricing.

If this purchase is not approved, the danger of misdiagnosis with regard to Echocardiograph readings will be increased and the time clinicians spend reading and deciphering images will also be increased, ultimately, leading to increased costs for the hospital.

Not applicable.