Docs sound alarm on imaging delays amid health system's 'troubling' teleradiology transition

A hospital system in Tennessee is under fire for delays getting patients’ radiology reports submitted in a timely manner following its recent move to outsource reads.

CommonSpirit Health on Friday issued an apology to patients after many voiced complaints about weeks-long delays receiving radiology reports after completing imaging exams at the hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The health system, which was formerly known as Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), however, did not cite a reason for the delays. 

“We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused our patients,” the post reads. “We understand that healthcare decisions are deeply personal and critically important, and you deserve timely and clear information.” 

In an interview with Chattanooga’s Fox affiliate, a long-time patient of the health system said the delays are new. Brittany Everett told the news station that when she underwent an ultrasound of her gallbladder and liver in December, her radiology report was available that day in the patient portal. But when she returned in June for additional imaging, her experience was much different, and she has now been waiting weeks for her results.  

Dozens of comments under CommonSpirit’s Facebook post detail similar scenarios for other patients, with some saying the delays have driven them to seek care elsewhere. 

So, what changed? In 2019, CHI Memorial Hospital merged with Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health; the health system officially rebranded to adopt CommonSpirit across its clinics and hospitals in January of 2026. Some providers say decisions following the merger have been eroding the quality of care patients receive there for years. However, one recent decision by leadership is having even bigger ramifications, critics say. 

In an open letter to patients published in the Chattanoogan newspaper, a group of providers with the health system cited long wait times in their radiology departments as an area of significant concern. These delays were preceded by a change in how imaging exams are interpreted. In June, the system broke ties with Diagnostic Imaging Consultants—a local group that had been serving the system’s radiology needs for decades—and began outsourcing its interpretations to a remote teleradiology company, Apollo Radiology, which is based in India. 

“In the days following the June 17, 2026, transition, clinicians report serious radiology delays, technical failures affecting access to imaging, and workflow breakdowns,” the letter notes. “Internal communications from administration acknowledge a substantial imaging backlog and have directed staff to prioritize certain patients, divert imaging to outside facilities, and have nonradiologists perform preliminary ‘wet reads.’” 

This, the group cautions, raises serious concerns about safety and puts patients at risk of missed or incorrect diagnoses that could have a detrimental impact on their health. Some delays have occurred for stroke patients being seen in the emergency department, while others have affected inpatients with serious health needs that require immediate attention. What’s more, the group also cited “a troubling rise in vague, inconclusive reports, along with diagnostic errors” that they fear may have already misguided patient care. 

“Timely imaging is fundamental to emergency and inpatient medicine. A CT scan can be the difference between emergency surgery and observation. An MRI can reveal whether permanent neurological injury is occurring. A chest CT can catch a life-threatening clot,” they cautioned. “When those reads are delayed or unreliable, treatment is delayed. Strokes go untreated, internal bleeding goes unrecognized, and patients are sent home who should have stayed.” 

The group says the organization’s focus on cost-cutting is putting patients at risk. They are asking leaders to share the data behind their decisions to break ties with long-time, trustworthy clinicians. 

Meanwhile, health system leaders say they are “working tirelessly” to address the issue and are considering all options. 

The providers’ full letter to local residents can be viewed here.