The Right Solutions at the Right Time

By Melinda Taschetta-Millane, editorial director

Earlier today, Konica Minolta held a breakfast presentation at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place to announce the goals and transformation of the new Konica Minolta Primary Imaging Company, and how it affects today’s healthcare industry. “The company feels that primary imaging solutions are the right solutions at the right time,” said president David Widmann.

New President, New Direction

Widmann is a 23-year industry veteran, joining the Konica Minolta team just under a year ago from GE Healthcare. “I came to Konica Minolta as a partner with a vision of growing a business, one which was founded on quality, strength of technology and good customer satisfaction,” he stressed. His vision is to use technology, including DR, ultrasound, IT and services to serve a greater role in solving some of the current challenges in the healthcare industry.

His vision for the future is focused on primary imaging. “About 60-70 percent of all exams begin with X-ray or ultrasound primary imaging procedures. We know that 20-50 percent of all advanced imaging procedures don’t result in added information. The goal is to place a faster diagnosis in front of the physician, which then brings that physician closer to the patient and gets them the information they want faster.

“At the end of the day, it’s the patients leading this initiative,” continued Widmann. “It’s about the immediacy of care — patients leaving the office in close proximity with an outcome that is portable. The patients are part of the decision.”

Primary Imaging Solutions

In January, Konica Minolta will have acquired the ultrasound business of Panasonic. “The optics technology that Konica Minolta has is core to its strength in the hand-carry, point-of-care OEM business; the two will fit very well together,” he said.

It also was announced that the company is launching a new ultrasound, Sonimage P3, that is a hand-held ultrasound unit. “This supports the growth and strength of our technology,” stressed Widmann.

Adding to this movement toward primary imaging solutions, the company signed a global distribution agreement with GE Healthcare for Konica Minolta’s AeroDR cassette-size digital X-ray imaging retrofit. Having built a collaborative relationship for nearly 10 years related to the sales of computed radiography (CR) in the United States, the two partners have now agreed to expand their strategic alliance, with GE Healthcare distributing AeroDR not just within the United States, but globally as well, using GE Healthcare sales channels.

Future of the Industry

“The No. 1 initiative is to treat customers, follow through with full solutions, and solve problems. The trends and strengths of Konica Minolta are helping solve problems — offering point-of-care ultrasound and X-rays, and doing it all with a high-quality level. This offers patients a better solution,” he said. “Services, and results, speak for themselves.”

“We are in a unique position to deliver better solutions. At the end of the day, the healthcare environment is changing. At Konica Minolta, we are well positioned to be part of that solution. We are the right solution at the right time; we have the tools that customers need right now. Our sole focus is very much on primary imaging.”

For more information on Konica Minolta’s new initiatives, visit them in the South Hall, booth 4753.