Economic analysis of body computed tomography units including data on utilization.

All operating body computed tomography installations in the United States were surveyed in May 1977; data were obtained from 74 of 118 installations. Utilization and economic data from this survey are compared to similar data from January 1976. Scheduling delay data indicate that computed tomography availability is closer to meeting the clinical demand for CT studies than in January 1976; however, CT demand (as indicated by scheduling delay) is rising at installations with greater than 5 months BCT experience. The estimated annual technical cost of BCT is $359,000--$392,000 with a patient volume of 25--50 patients per week and is higher than the current net technical revenue.