In a move long awaited by Spanish radiologists, the country's national health system will install its first two PET scanners, according to an announcement in the Spanish publication Medicina Interactivo. The first system will be installed in Seville's Virgen del RocĂo hospital by the end of the year. The second will be operating at Virgen de las Nieves hospital in Granada by May 2001. The total installed cost is expected to reach 600 million Spanish pesetas, or approximately $3.1 million (U.S).
The project represents Spain's first incorporation of PET technology in the public health sector, and results from a push by the Spanish Health Ministry to incorporate cutting-edge technologies, according to the notice. The hospitals will scan an estimated 3,000 patients a year with the systems, and expect to reap significant cost savings by eliminating unnecessary treatments and surgical procedures.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersSeptember 12, 2000
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