When to Upgrade: A Cost-Benefit Analysis for Replacing or Servicing Your Aging C-Arm

C-Arm is a critical imaging component in orthopedic and vascular surgeries. It provides instant feedback so surgeons can monitor the progress and work accordingly. But even after annual maintenance check-ups, the system ages and becomes less reliable over time. Older machines require consistent CM (corrective maintenance) and lack modern features that are now standard practice in the healthcare world.

However, does this mean you need to replace the imaging assets from your healthcare unit rapidly? It is a significant investment, and deciding between CM and replacement without justification isn’t the solution.

This situation is where a cost-benefit analysis plays a key role, helping healthcare professionals make decisions. This blog guides you through the process so you can make a smart, long-term choice.

Calculating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Purchasing the C-Arm is just a part of your investment. It is the total ownership cost that consistently adds to your expenses. Evaluating the TCO can help ascertain when the repair cost stops being a cost-effective solution and begins impacting your operational budget:

• Age and Usage Profile

For how many years have you been using the C-Arm in your healthcare department? As this imaging asset ages, it wears off and takes longer to deliver the results. Even with consistent repair, a machine will become obsolete when close to completing its expected lifecycle.

Additionally, the intensity with which you have used the machine also impacts the performance due to fatigue. Even if the usable life remains, a high volume of procedural uses will start impacting the diagnosis. The result? Expensive repair/CM cost and poor results.

• Frequency of CM

Does your C-Arm require frequent repairs? An increase in emergency calls contributes to an inflated service cost and surgical disruption. That’s why it is necessary to keep track of how many times you have sent the machine for service, or the same component has failed during operations.

Frequent corrective maintenance requirements also increase the number of cancelled patient procedures and staff’s idle time. It can quickly outweigh the replacement cost.

• Cost of Obsolete Parts

The C-Arm is advancing with component replacements, such as a shift from image intensifier to flat panel detectors. It means that the manufacturers slowly stop making old parts, making them obsolete and hard to find. Relying on refurbished components does not include any guarantee and can compromise surgical procedures.

Frequent unavailability of spare parts makes refurbishment or replacement a more viable and financially safe option.

Assessing Clinical Deficiencies

Did you know that your old C-Arms might fail to meet today’s patient safety standards and diagnostic demands? Shortcomings in clinical procedures also make you question whether replacement is a better option than continuous repairs. The following are the key areas to consider before you decide:

• Image Quality

Old C-Arms relied on image intensifiers to amplify the X-rays during a surgery. But this traditional technology is heavy and requires more doses to perform effectively. The problem ends with flat-panel detectors. This new-age digital method offers a superior image quality and requires a low dose. It is rapidly replacing IIs, which is why healthcare professionals are opting for new machines.

• Dose Management

Radiation safety standards are continually evolving, with a focus on patient care. Traditional C-Arms required high doses, but new machines? They meet the low-dose protocol through automatic exposure control and dose monitoring. Using old machines raises safety concerns and affects regulatory compliance, posing a problem for the hospital/clinic.

• Digital Integration

Old C-Arms do not integrate with PACS and EMR systems. Such obstructions lead to workflow delay and incomplete patient records due to extensive human dependency. But new machines are built with modern technology for safe storage, retrieval, and linking of patient records. It supports operational efficiency and timely patient care.

Considering the Alternatives

Now that you are clear about the financial and clinical implications, it is time to consider the most feasible option for yourself. Understanding each of them helps make the best decision for your hospital/clinic:

• Full Replacement

The immediate solution is the replacement of the old C-Arm with the latest digital machine. It gives you access to the latest technology, regulatory compliance, and better results. Modern imaging assets offer superior image quality, PACS/EMR integration, and advanced software.

Although the upfront investment is higher, it accompanies a lower maintenance cost and minimal downtimes. The outcome is a significant improvement in patient care and effective handling of high-volume treatments.

• Refurbishment

Refurbishing imaging assets is a viable option for many healthcare facilities. Similar to the successful adoption of refurbished ultrasounds, many are also considering it for their C-Arms. A professionally renovated machine goes through inspection, part replacement, and software update to ensure uninterrupted performance.

Hospitals/clinics opt for refurbished machines when they want to control costs without compromising on performance. However, its success depends solely on the service quality, availability of spare parts, and post-installation service. Additionally, such machines may not conform to the updated regulatory requirements or modern patient needs.

• Budgeting for Future CM Costs

If you want to continue operating the old C-Arm machine, it is imperative that you consider the cost implications of it. The system will demand frequent CM and repairs as it ages. Preparing a budget can help avoid any financial or operational disruptions. Proactive C-Arm service is essential in such cases.

You can follow this strategy for the short term due to budget constraints, but regular review is important to prevent cost escalations. Otherwise, you may end up spending more on repair than a replacement would have cost you.

Conclusion

A C-Arm is one of the critical imaging assets in a hospital or clinic, and is required consistently for surgeries. However, old machines lead to frequent downtimes and increased CM costs. Therefore, you must decide when the right time is to retire the C-Arm. For healthcare centres that feel repair or refurbish can be a cost-saving solution at the moment, budget for the future, and plan accordingly.

In either case, the key is to use the data over emotions and decide when is the right time for heavy repairing or replacement of your machine. It is crucial to contact an expert like Ultravision Medical, whom you can depend on, whether you want to invest in a new C-Arm or get the old one serviced.