Contrast shortage update: GE expects supply to 'progressively recover' soon

After weeks of scrambling to maintain iodinated contrast media supplies, practices might soon be allowed to ease their mitigation tactics. 

That’s according to the most recent word from GE. In the update, GE said that the production capacity at its Shanghai facility should be near 100% starting on June 6. This comes following the recent easing of local COVID-19 restrictions in the city that drastically decreased contrast production and sent radiology departments across the country into a tailspin beginning in late March. 

“This will enable us to restabilize our global supply of iodinated contrast media. We will continue to work with impacted customers to help them plan several weeks ahead as supply progressively recovers,” the statement reads. 

As previously reported, GE initially expected the supply shortages to last until mid-June. This sent radiology departments, professional societies and even the U.S. government into crisis mode in an attempt to preserve iodinated contrast supplies for the patients who needed it most urgently, while also revisiting and revising protocols involving the use of ICM and seeking out suitable substitutions. 

The shortage has impacted countless patients who have had their medical imaging exams and procedures delayed and has caused many in the field to take a deeper look at how to avoid such consequential supply deficits in the future. 

While those efforts are likely to continue, it appears as though the immediate situation should begin to improve as soon as next week. 

Health Imaging will continue to provide updates on the contrast media shortages as they become available.  

Read GE’s full update here

More contrast media news: 

Preserving contrast media supplies: 7 ACR recommendations

ACR working with FDA and HHS to help address imaging contrast shortage

VIDEO: Imaging contrast shortage is delaying procedures and causing rationing

Gadolinium can be used as substitute for iodine contrast in some interventional imaging procedures

VIDEO: How the iodine contrast shortage is impacting interventional cath labs

 

Hannah murhphy headshot

In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.