Obsolete technologies in radiology, Miele: "A change of pace is needed for patient safety."

At the heart of modern healthcare, where innovation can literally make the difference between a timely diagnosis and a missed opportunity, the problem of technological obsolescence weighs heavily. In Italy, many radiological equipment remains in use well beyond the recommended 10 years, often reaching 15 years before being replaced. This delay translates into less accurate examinations and, above all, increased radiation exposure for patients.

Honey (Fidesmar): "Old technologies jeopardize quality and safety."

"This sector benefits enormously from technological innovation, but also suffers from the delay in renewal," explains Vittorio Miele , the new president of FIDESMAR, the Italian Federation of Radiology Medical Societies. "Continuing to use obsolete devices compromises diagnostic quality and increases radiation exposure. Urgent action is needed." Among the equipment most at risk are CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, mammograms, and linear accelerators. One of the priority objectives for the two-year period 2025–2027 will be to initiate a structured dialogue with the institutions to accelerate the updating processes.

A strong and multidisciplinary Federation

FIDESMAR, the Italian Federation of Radiology Medical Societies, is one of the most authoritative medical-scientific organizations in Europe. It brings together five major societies: SIRM, AIRB, AIRO, AIMN, and AINR, covering the entire radiology field and promoting an increasingly integrated and multidisciplinary approach. "Today, much equipment is shared between radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and radiation oncologists," Miele emphasizes. "This requires common protocols, shared languages, and training commensurate with today's complexity."

Objective: A common language for shared technologies

New technologies often require protocols that are still being developed. "This is where FIDESMAR comes in," adds Miele. "We develop joint documents and promote dialogue between scientific societies. It's a process that begins with clinical practice and ends with guidelines, with the goal of offering patients increasingly safe and up-to-date care."

Patient safety first

Another key issue is radiological safety. "The rules exist and must be respected," Miele reiterates. "But we need joint action: updating technologies, training staff, and ensuring the correct application of regulations." The goal is to reduce radiation exposure without compromising the effectiveness of tests, ensuring safer and more transparent medicine for everyone.

Research, industry, and information: a network to be strengthened

FIDESMAR also looks beyond the clinical field. "We want to incentivize research, stimulate dialogue with the industry for more sustainable technologies, and create a clear and timely information channel for patients and institutional decision-makers." Since 2016, the Federation has established itself as a point of reference for the sector, not only from a scientific perspective, but also in its dialogue with public stakeholders.

A two-year period of challenges and opportunities

"We have great potential and many projects underway," Miele concludes. "My commitment will be to join forces with the member companies to address these challenges together, always with a focus on the well-being of patients and the growth of our healthcare system." The message is clear: innovation is no longer an option. It's a necessity.