“Purchase and upgrade activity in these echo sites is active, with
budgets for both contrast agents and equipment increasing. Nearly half
of the echo labs are improving their current capability, either by
adding new units, replacing old, or updating their current systems. In
addition, echo sites are expanding their use of networks to transmit
images to multiple locations, including within the lab, and to other
departments and facilities. From 1999 to now, the proportion of echo
sites with networks grew from 6% to 26%. This includes networks
installed by vendors that provide echo equipment, cardiology PACS or
dedicated networks.”