As rural hospitals nationwide face mounting financial pressures, Rochester Regional Health is investing in technology that can improve patient care while reducing unnecessary healthcare costs.
The health system is introducing Heartflow CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) technology at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC), the first step in a planned expansion of advanced cardiovascular diagnostics across its rural communities and the health system more broadly.
The technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze coronary CT images and help physicians determine whether narrowed arteries are restricting blood flow. For appropriate patients, the non-invasive analysis can help avoid additional invasive diagnostic procedures, potentially reducing costs and the need to travel for specialized care.
“Rural healthcare is changing, and we have to find smarter ways to deliver the care our communities depend on,” said Dr. Bipul Baibhav of Rochester Regional Health’s Sands-Constellation Heart & Vascular Institute. “This investment gives our physicians better diagnostic tools while helping patients avoid unnecessary procedures. It’s about delivering exceptional care more efficiently and keeping it close to home.”
Dr. Baibhav helped lead the clinical strategy and capital investment supporting the rollout, part of Rochester Regional Health’s broader commitment to advanced cardiac imaging.
Following the launch at UMMC, Rochester Regional Health plans to expand the technology into the St. Lawrence Region, with additional Finger Lakes locations anticipated in 2027.
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