CT scanners in the Brazilian Unified National Health System: installed capacity and utilization

This study analyzes the supply and use of computed tomography scanners (CT) in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) according to State and administrative levels in the year 2009. Secondary data were used to estimate the installed CT capacity in public healthcare facilities and in private services outsourced by the SUS and calculated the rate of utilization. Average national CT utilization was less than 10%. The public sector showed lower CT use than the private sector outsourced by the SUS. The number of CT tests in the SUS was less than half the number produced in developed countries. The results thus suggest the need for further studies on management practices with high-technology equipment in order to improve allocation of current and future public resources in supplying CT tests.