Hospitals sidestep leasing despite credit crunch

Results of a survey of hospital-based radiology practice directors suggest the credit crunch that has accompanied the national recession does not appear to have promoted interest among hospital administrators in leasing as an option for obtaining new medical equipment.

According to the MarkeTech Group, which conducted the survey in June at the request of Diagnostic Imaging, more than half of 186 hospital-based radiology administrators responding to the survey said they were not at all or somewhat interested in leasing. More than a third said the bond market downturn would have no impact on their ability to finance projects and equipment purchases.

“The hospital market is very entrenched in a capital acquisition mentality,” said MarkeTech Group CEO Christian Renaudin, Ph.D. “They want to own their own equipment.”