New partnership seeks to increase imaging departments' remote-scanning capabilities
A new industry partnership could open the door for more imaging departments to conduct remote operations.
This week, medical technology innovator Siemens Healthineers announced its partnership with Legrand, a company that specializes in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Together, the two are working to make remote operations a reality for more imaging organizations.
The collaboration centers on KVM-over-IP (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches from a brand of Legrand’s, Raritan. These switches enable third-party scanners to link with the syngo Virtual Cockpit software solution from Siemens Healthineers. This will enable off-site technologists to operate scanners from multiple vendors remotely.
The news comes amid an ongoing shortage of qualified technologists. According to the 2025 ASRT Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey, vacancies in multiple imaging modalities are nearing all-time highs, even surpassing those recorded in 2020 after the onset of the pandemic. The survey, which was distributed to 18,419 radiology department managers throughout the United States, revealed unfilled CT positions represent the highest vacancy rate; open positions within the modality have risen steadily for several years, highlighting a problematic trend when taking into account the growing demand for CT.
These staffing woes are at the root of why organizations are pursuing remote operations. This is especially true for imaging departments in rural areas where staffing was a challenge even before COVID.
Paul Mott, product management director for Legrand, believes the company’s partnership with Siemens Healthineers can help organizations address these challenges.
"KVM technology has historically been used in healthcare settings such as IT rooms and nurse stations—wherever remote patient monitoring has been needed," Mott said in a news release. "Now, we're extending the reach of that expert medical care, utilizing technology to tackle the rising shortages of medical imaging technologists head-on. Our KVM technology is a bridge between a patient in need and a specialist who can help, regardless of geography. Together with Siemens Healthineers, we're improving patient outcomes and supporting our frontline healthcare heroes."
Learn more about the KVM-over-IP switches here.
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 began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.