Newer techniques like CT, MRI etc are increasily being used more & more

Inpatient radiology utilization: trends over the past decade.

Matin A, Bates DW, Sussman A, Ros P, Hanson R, Khorasani R

New study suggests-Newer imaging technologies (nuclear medicine, CT, and MRI) are replacing older ones in the evaluation of inpatients. Despite the significant decrease in the total number of imaging examinations per Admission, authors observed a significant increase in relative value units per case-mix-adjusted admission during the 10-year study period. Understanding the impact of this change in practice on the quality of care would be useful in justifying the increasing use of these new technologies, and decreasing their inappropriate use should be a priority in efforts that focus on controlling imaging expenditures.

Reference-

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006 Jan;186(1):7-11.