| The Month in Review | Editor's Note: You know the staffing shortage is getting bad when it’s taking down 100-year-old radiology practices. That was the case for Southeast Radiology, which closed last month citing, among other reasons, “a shortage of available radiology physicians and the increased competition for these limited resources.” Staffing woes seem to have some influence in at least half of our top stories this month: A hospital expresses dissatisfaction with outsourcing. Australia’s largest teleradiology group makes a move into the states. Rad techs want to create a new position to fuel the inadequate talent pipeline. An overworked rad gets reprimanded for alleged mistakes. And IR groups are increasingly using NPs to fill the vacancy void. How we get out of this mess (with a potential recession and another Medicare cut looming), I’m not sure. But rest assured a lot of people much smarter than me are trying to figure this out. —Marty Stempniak Editor's Note: You know the staffing shortage is getting bad when it’s taking down 100-year-old radiology practices. That was the case for Southeast Radiology, which closed last month citing, among other reasons, “a shortage of available radiology physicians and the increased competition for these limited resources.” Staffing woes seem to have some influence in at least half of our top stories this month: A hospital expresses dissatisfaction with outsourcing. Australia’s largest teleradiology group makes a move into the states. Rad techs want to create a new position to fuel the inadequate talent pipeline. An overworked rad gets reprimanded for alleged mistakes. And IR groups are increasingly using NPs to fill the vacancy void. How we get out of this mess (with a potential recession and another Medicare cut looming), I’m not sure. But rest assured a lot of people much smarter than me are trying to figure this out. —Marty Stempniak |
| CEO Jim Woodward believes private equity-backed provider groups “serve their shareholders’ interest not the patients' and doctors' and hospitals' interests.” CEO Jim Woodward believes private equity-backed provider groups “serve their shareholders’ interest not the patients' and doctors' and hospitals' interests.” | | |
| Physician and blogger James V. O'leary, MD, started the conversation after using the online transparency tool Radiology Assist to shop for a CT scan. Physician and blogger James V. O'leary, MD, started the conversation after using the online transparency tool Radiology Assist to shop for a CT scan. | | |
| Many found information about the benefits and harms of mammography "surprising," experts wrote in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Many found information about the benefits and harms of mammography "surprising," experts wrote in the Annals of Internal Medicine. | | |
| Southeast Radiology Ltd., in the Philadelphia suburb of Upland, ceased existing at the end of June as it grappled with physician shortages, increased competition, "considerable instability" and market disruption. Southeast Radiology Ltd., in the Philadelphia suburb of Upland, ceased existing at the end of June as it grappled with physician shortages, increased competition, "considerable instability" and market disruption. | | |
| Physician assistants also handled a growing share of treatments, with their tally increasing nearly 67% between 2010 and 2021. Physician assistants also handled a growing share of treatments, with their tally increasing nearly 67% between 2010 and 2021. | | |
| The company is acquiring San Diego-based StatRad, which employs 90-plus radiologists in the States, reading for hundreds of clients every day. The company is acquiring San Diego-based StatRad, which employs 90-plus radiologists in the States, reading for hundreds of clients every day. | | |
| UPDATED: The Radiology Business Management Association slammed the proposal Wednesday, contending it will have a "direct and detrimental impact on patient access." UPDATED: The Radiology Business Management Association slammed the proposal Wednesday, contending it will have a "direct and detrimental impact on patient access." | | |
| “Every radiologist should have grave concerns about this ruling and think twice about practicing in the state," The Medical Group's Anand P. Lalaji, MD, said Monday. “Every radiologist should have grave concerns about this ruling and think twice about practicing in the state," The Medical Group's Anand P. Lalaji, MD, said Monday. | | |
| Arizona-based Southwest Diagnostic Imaging said the decision is effective immediately, with its 19 locations now considered out-of-network for those using UHC health plans. Arizona-based Southwest Diagnostic Imaging said the decision is effective immediately, with its 19 locations now considered out-of-network for those using UHC health plans. | | |
| A new white paper is suggesting the hiring of “imaging medical aides” to support techs and bolster the pipeline of new professionals. A new white paper is suggesting the hiring of “imaging medical aides” to support techs and bolster the pipeline of new professionals. | | |
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