After a sharp decline in radiology services, the University of Cincinnati Health followed a data-driven and team-based method to help increase the numbers back up again. The ‘Recover Wisely’ program was launched last May 4 and since then, UHC has been gaining momentum and was able to hit an overall 102% recovery rate.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries have been affected. Back when most services were halted and delayed, UC Health started trying to find ways to reschedule missed appointments and adjusting to the new normal. At first, there was a shocking decline of 53%-55% in nonurgent radiology services. Around 30,000 imaging appointments were rescheduled. The team at the University of Cincinnati Health then decided to have a more data-driven approach, thus, the ‘Recover Wisely’ program was set in motion.
To be able to assure the best care in the safest way possible, simulations were done along with ‘meticulous monitoring and control.’ There was a big amount of backlog, but updates were given to the clients as the program was being slowly rolled out. By week 10, UHC saw a 102% recovery rate compared to pre-COVID numbers, obtaining 172 cases per week.
According to Achala Vagal, MD, together with the UC Health Department of Radiology and 15 other co-authors, “Longer term recovery planning needs to include the possibility of a second or seasonal surge of COVID-19. However, the principles of Recover Wisely should apply to any rescheduling and recovery strategy.” The team also added, “In the dire situation, if a large-scale shutdown occurs again, other departments will find our experience and resumption strategies helpful.”
With this program in place, several modalities had a significantly higher rate compared to others: with MRI at 101%, interventional radiology at 106%, CT at 113%, and nuclear medicine at a soaringly high percentage at 138%.
UC Health believes that a strategy of tailored communication, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and innovative solutions will help them with any bumps in the road that may come next as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic still isn’t over.
UC Health has acquired new state-of-the-art mobile units that would help them respond to stroke emergencies faster than ever.
The new mobile stroke units, which cost $1 Million worth of training and equipment a piece, are aimed to provide stroke patients the clot-busting drugs they need to get a better chance of recovery and survival much faster. The first unit was dispatched in the Cincinnati region last August 11, and it is only the 23rd of its kind in the whole nation.
In the Cincinnati region, 45 minutes is the average time that stroke patients receive clot-busting medication after their arrival at the hospital. However, the new mobile unit is equipped with a CT scanner and the clot-busting medication tissue plasminogen activator.
The unit deploys with a paramedic trained in mobile care, an emergency medical technician, a critical care nurse, and a CT technician. The unit can reach a stroke doctor via telemedicine and provide hospital-level care in case of an emergency.
According to Dr. Joseph Broderick, director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, the unit can “shorten the time between the onset of stroke-like symptoms and the delivery of clot-busting medication.”
“Millions of brain cells die every minute that stroke treatment is delayed, and research shows that mobile stroke units can provide treatment 20 to 30 minutes faster than in an emergency department,” Dr. Broderick added.
The Springfield Township Fire Department, located at 9150 Winton Road, Finneytown, will be the base of the unit. Hamilton County’s 911 call center will be the dispatcher of the unit upon emergencies. People can request the service from 7 am to 7 pm every day, including holidays. The mobile stroke unit will respond to calls within a 15-minute radius and take the patients to the nearest proper medical center.
Amanda Naigeleisen, UC Health’s spokeswoman, admitted that they had been planning to roll out the unit last March, but due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic, they were forced to delay the unit’s start until August.
With no end in sight of the pandemic, some radiology clinics need to rethink their practices to better their revenue cycle management and improve their services to stay afloat.
COVID-19 has far-reaching effects more than anyone ever expected. A report, conducted by lead author Richard Sharpe Jr., MD, MBA, a radiologist with the Mayo Clinic, and colleagues about the impact of COVID-19 on radiology, stated, “Some groups may prove unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially fueling trends either toward consolidation into larger radiology groups or toward increased employment by hospitals.”
In the first six months of the pandemic, records show a steady decrease in the revenues of many radiology practices. For some, the percentage of this decline reached up to 80%. Most affected by this situation are the smaller private practices whose revenues are dependent on examination interpretation.
Some cost-cutting measures were already adopted by others in the industry, including salary diminution, time off, and reduction of benefits. While these actions worked to keep practices afloat, experts do not consider this viable solution in the long term. They predict that smaller practices will be likely consolidated with larger groups that offer a broader practice model.
The industry remains hopeful as lockdowns are lifted, and communities are reopened, but just like for any other industry, a consistent decrease in revenue remains imminent for some.
According to an Urban Institute estimate, about 10 million people will lose their healthcare coverage from a COVID-19-related job loss. People who previously relied on employer-sponsored health cards are projected to switch to healthcare coverage through other family members as dependent or enroll in Medicaid. Radiology practices will most likely see a rise in Medicaid and self-paying patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter a lot of industries. Those who cannot transform and reinvent themselves are at a higher risk of losing the battle.
For radiology practices, one point must be highlighted: Patient care is a top priority. Practitioners must deliver client-focused patient care and ensure hassle-free visits to attract more self-paying patients. An over-all pleasant medical procedure will boost the confidence of patients in smaller radiology practices. Hiring highly-qualified staff also guarantees the quality of healthcare provided.
Another highly suggested way for radiology practices to survive is to adopt new technologies and better processes to offset lost revenue opportunities. Investing in technology, streamlining workforces, improving bill cycles are a great start.
Getting a partner to optimize billing and introduce automation is a thing to consider as well. Howard Pingston, Regional VP of Business Development in Radiology with Zotec Partners, stated that “Radiology groups will not only face an increase in bad debt but also potentially an 8 to 11 percent reduction in reimbursement in 2021, depending on the CMS final ruling. Now more than ever, radiology practices need an RCM partner that is truly equipped to help them identify revenue opportunities and provide full transparency throughout the process in order to weather this storm in the near term and succeed in the long term.”
The availability of convenient payment options is also a plus factor. Online payment and special discounts are also appreciated by people who are struggling in this time of pandemic and economic recession.
The answer to the problem faced by radiology practices requires a multi-pronged approach. It is a combination of technological, financial, and personal solutions. COVID-19 is a difficult enemy that everyone wants to get rid of. While the battle is far from over, it pays to prepare and soldier on constantly.
Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) has implemented an AI-powered system to optimize radiology practice in real-time collaboration and data organization.
Historically, radiology has had a crucial and active role in the evolution of healthcare. Radiology’s role in the current COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly critical for its prevention and cure for the patients.
The healthcare system worldwide, including radiologists, is facing a never before experienced exhaustion and financial constraints since the virus has spread. Nobody was ever truly ready for it.
Now, more than ever, radiology should adapt to the ever-changing world and technological advancements to avoid specialist burnouts and backlogs.
Yale School of Medicine’s Dr. Irena Tocino, MD, FACR, professor of radiology and biomedical imaging and vice-chair of imaging informatics shared how the AI-based system has improved their workflow and efficiency, “Studies are analyzed first by the AI model. Positive results are automatically prioritized on the appropriate worklist, while negative results move down the list for later review. Having this solution in place helped YNHHS navigate the challenges because of the pandemic – from an influx of COVID-19 patients to the swift transition to remote reading.”
“YNHHS has transformed their reading room experience, keeping colleagues connected, more efficient, and safer in a virtual paradigm, while prioritizing patient care.”
The technology in place has forged a new path in helping the medical frontliners work smarter, not harder — allowing them to focus on analyzing efforts rather than organizing data. Real-time, remote collaborations optimized data analysis, making way for efficient application of healthcare.
In these trying times, the PowerScribe Workflow Orchestration and PowerConnect Communicator is a promising technology that can unload the burden of the already burnout healthcare system if properly implemented.
CT Scanners are a staple in any healthcare facility. It is essential to help diagnose a patient accurately. Simply put, Computerized Tomography scanning is necessary because:
They detect bone and joint problems
They spot cancer, heart disease, emphysema, liver mass
They show internal injuries and bleeding
They locate blood clots, excess fluid, infection, and/or tumors
The list goes on and on. And ideally, a healthcare facility should have a scanner or two, but not all may be able to afford their regular maintenance.
But there may be seasons of high demand, and so additional capacity, by means of mobile CT rentals, may be taken into consideration.
At a time like now when there is a COVID-19 pandemic — while the topic is a hot subject of debate — CT scans may provide some assistance in the early detection or correct diagnosis of the condition. The matter is a double-edged sword, though, and medical professionals are still weighing the pros versus the cons.
How much will a Mobile CT Rental Cost?
When all reasons and factors have been considered, all you now need to know is the Cost of a Mobile CT Rental. Factors that will contribute are:
1. The length of the rent, if it will be monthly or annually
2. The capability of the machine. Depending on a given brand and the features built into a given CT machine.
Please email info@catalinaimaging or give us a call for a Mobile CT Quote
3. Aside from the rent, there are riders like:
The refundable security deposit
The transportation to and from your healthcare facility
The installation and de-installation fees
The cleaning and maintenance fees
It would be wise to study your contract very closely. In some cases, a lease may be the better option.
Why Rent a Mobile CT Machine?
There are a number of reasons why Mobile CT Rental may be the best choice for a healthcare facility. As mentioned earlier, there may be seasons of high demand, and the staple CT machine may not be enough to service all the patients.
There are renovations in your facility and the scanning may need to be done in a temporary space.
The facility’s scanner is starting to show signs of wear and tear and you want to test a new scanner for a possible upgrade.
If you are deciding whether or not to get another scanner for your facility and you want to see if two machines can be maximized.
If your facility is used as a training or continuing education course and you need a machine for demonstration purposes without disrupting regular operations.
If your facility needs to catch up on patient backlog especially at a time like now when there is a pandemic and further testing is necessary for some cases.
In the case of a facility with multiple branches, a rented mobile CT can go from branch to branch on certain days of the week to help service patients.
If you are not allowed to purchase a new machine but you can manage the rental fee in your operating budget.
Other Considerations for a Mobile CT Rental
Do not forget the importance of customer support. Choose a company that provides it 24/7; that provides added data for you; that provides insured equipment, and that offers training to your radiologists and technicians in the use of their machine.
Technology is not only updated but also state of the art. Get your money’s worth with Mobile CT Machines from GE, Toshiba, and Siemens.
Rent from Catalina Imaging
Ron Wright founded Catalina Imaging 30 years ago based on the principle of face-to-face customer contact. Understanding the urgency of maintaining equipment uptime was experienced firsthand. This experience is the foundation of Catalina Imaging today: personnel are familiar with the engineering and workings of our Mobile CT units.
Catalina Imaging also provides:
Customized reliable equipment to support your clinical needs
Customer support 24/7
Affordability
Site assistance, pre-planning, and set-up
Transportation and on-time delivery
Systems that meet OEM specifications or greater
Equipment and trailer service maintenance
Information such as current physicist surveys
Trailers licensed through DOH
Fully insured equipment
Applications training (additional fees may apply)
We are there for you and with you in every step of the Mobile CT rental process, from planning your CT rental to the end of the lease. Delivery, set up, and maintenance of your Mobile CT units are not a problem because we are always there with you. We are also just a call away any time issues come up — and we mean it.
We go above and beyond simply delivering and maintaining your Mobile CT Units.
How much does a Mobile CT Rental cost? At the cost of saving a life, it is absolutely priceless. Rent from the company that will make sure you have all the support you need. Rent from Catalina Imaging.
Experience our Mobile CT Scanner right now inside our mobile imaging unit. We leave you with this video:
In a recent study, it has been found that non-white, Covid-19 patients, are more likely to develop more severe cases of the illness. According to radiologist Dr. Efren J. Flores, co-founder of the study, who works at the Massachusetts General Hospital, “It got to the point where half of our patient population admitted with COVID-19 were underrepresented minorities [in our local population].”
After analyzing data from 326 Covid-19 patients and examining their chest X-Rays, the result became clear: non-white patients coming from lower socioeconomic groups were more likely to be put in ICUsand die.
There is a multitude of reasons that contribute to this phenomenon. On its own, the virus can affect anyone. António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, said, “The virus does not discriminate, but its impacts do, exposing deep weaknesses in the delivery of public services and structural inequalities that impede access to them.”
It leaves the people with low-wage jobs more prone to severe cases of the disease because they have limited sick leaves and health care benefits from their employers. The authors of the study pointed out that Blacks, Hispanics, and people from other ethnic minorities were more likely to have these kinds of jobs. Dr. Flores noted that these people tend to refrain from going to the hospital, due to the fact that they live on a weekly paycheck and have other dependents.
The authors also observed that the patients in these groups usually live in overcrowded, high-density urban areas that make social distancing more difficult.
Another underlying socioeconomic factor that the authors have found is limited English proficiency. As the new health information regarding Covid-19 was only available in English during the first few months, non-English-speaking individuals had trouble going through the complex medical system.
Lastly, the institutional racism that many of these people have previously experienced resulted in distrust in the medical system. It leads to them not seeking care until the disease becomes severe.
These healthcare problems experienced by the non-white people have already been present way before the pandemic, but the situation exposed and amplified them further.
Last July 15-19, 2020, there were around 15,000 participants from all over the world, from approximately 30 countries, who joined the European Congress of Radiology’s “Virtual Exhibition.”
Comparing it to last year’s attendance count, it represented a 5% increase in numbers. This year’s event was also the very first time in history that this was done entirely online.
The Vienna Convention Bureau was very much involved in the organization and made it possible to be done digitally as this is Europe’s biggest congress for radiology and radiotechnology.
Overall, 216 companies showcased their products by doing demonstrations and conducting webinars, and this was all delivered through an online format.
As this was something new for the organization, they also added a new feature of the digital EDR 2020 called “ESR Table Talks.” Professor Boris Brkljačić and Professor Lorenzo Derchi, along with the hosts, presented this segment, reporting from the European Society of Radiology building, which is located in the middle of Vienna.
Congress President Professor Brkljačić stated that “The educational content at this year’s congress has been of an extremely high standard and, although I hope that we will meet together in Vienna again soon, I think this congress has proved that online conference formats are possible and that the ESR has successfully set an industry standard with last week’s meeting.”
So in this year’s exhibition, a new feature called the “Vienna Lounge” was also launched. The whole Viennese ambiance comes from this — as the goal of it is to be a backdrop for the congress, wherein there were various activities like cooking courses, concerts, and finally, as it is also on the delegate program, the virtual tours of the Viennese museums were also conducted.
Some companies also opted to do specific satellite symposia. There will be ten highlight weeks until December 2020, which will tackle a series of curated topics.
Top radiology experts are working together to develop the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC) — an extensive, open-source medical image database of COVID-19 patients to help in the ongoing battle against the virus.
The massive public-private project partnership is funded under the National Institute of Health’s special COVID-19 emergency response through a contract with the University of Chicago and in collaboration with major radiology networks; The American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, and American Association of Physicists.
Dr. Etta Pisano, ASR Chief Research Officer said in the announcement that, “The MIDRC database will provide a critical tool to help the medical imaging community, doctors and scientists better understand COVID-19 and its biological effects on humans. This knowledge, and the technological advancements the registry can enable, will ultimately help providers save lives,”
Aside from leading radiologists, top engineers, physicians, and scientists join the project’s pool of experts to collect and organize the data using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. This strategy is implemented to improve the accuracy and speed of handling more than 10,000 COVID thoracic x-rays and CT images.
As a result, radiologists can focus on analyzing the medical images from COVID-19 patients. The scans play a vital role in determining the severity of the virus and prescribing an optimal and individualized treatment for a patient.
The project also includes five infrastructure developments and supervision of twelve research studies, including 20 university-run laboratories, to find solutions to the coronavirus pandemic.
The MIDRC provides a rich and accessible resource of scans and clinical data for medical professionals and researchers worldwide.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) research committee chair and a faculty of the University of Washington, Dr. Paul Kinahan, said that they are initially focusing on COVID-19 but the network has plans to expand imaging data and AI tools to existing and future healthcare threats.
A study conducted by researchers at LSU Health New Orleans suggests that Snapchat might actually be an effective channel for teaching radiology.
Seven faculty members from LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine recently launched a study to evaluate the effectiveness of social media platform Snapchat in radiology didactics.
The researchers theorized that smartphone technology coupled with the radiology residents’ proficiency in utilizing social media can help improve accuracy and performance in imaging diagnosis.
To prove this hypothesis, the research group compared the quality of image analysis done by radiology residents using Snapchat with those who worked with the standard single-screen analysis.
Snapchat, a popular social media app known for focusing on video and visual imagery as its main form of communications, was chosen as the test subject due to one distinct feature.
Unlike the other image-centric apps on the digital market, Snapchat lets the user control the timing of the image’s visibility. This capability is especially helpful in radiologic education since selecting how long an image remains viewable by the user creates an opportunity for innovation in providing a fast and accurate image-based diagnosis.
The testing for the comparisons between Snapchat-aided and regular screen image analysis lasted for four weeks.
During the experiment, LSU Health New Orleans radiology residents were shown five developing radiologic cases using Snapchat and the same number of cases with identical content and time scale on a screen projector. The images were of diagnoses needing immediate interpretation for the physicians in charge. Two radiologists attended the trials and scored the performance of the residents in reading the diagnosis using both the social media app and the classroom projector.
Dr. Bradley Spieler, vice chairman of research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine’s radiology department, claims that all residents performed better on Snapchat every week, with their accuracy rate consistently scoring higher on Snapchat than when operating with the conventional classroom screen.
As stated by Dr. Spieler, “All cases used were diagnoses considered to require emergent, non-routine communication on the order of minutes to the ordering health care provider. As such, these types of diagnoses demand prompt imaging recognition as they are considered critical findings which could result in death or significant illness if not acted upon expeditiously.”
The researchers believe that it is important to continue discovering alternative ways of teaching and learning, especially with the new challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Since smartphones are often used in hospitals, healthcare professionals should already be comfortable enough to integrate their use into medical applications.
According to the authors of the study, “the hope is that this investigation can aid in the promotion of active learning and lecture participation as well as to explore metrics for gauging diagnostic performance and pattern recognition in image-based curricula both within the classroom and in remote teaching formats.”
For most people, buying a CT scanner has never crossed their minds. It is not an everyday tool casually used, like a coffee machine or a waffle maker. It is a highly sophisticated device that requires the expertise of the person who will operate it, and specific, controlled environments.
However, in very particular instances, having a CT scanner around is a smart choice. Smaller hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers need this machine to provide better and more comprehensive services.
CT or CA Computerized Tomography scan utilizes X-rays to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It is operated by licensed radiographers. A CT scan is used to provide a comprehensive examination of the body’s internal organs.
It is especially helpful in determining damage to bones and internal organs, blood flow issues, and tumors. For years, it has been a crucial tool in diagnosing critical illnesses in patients.
Not a lot of people understand, however, the financial burden brought about by these massive pieces of machinery. Before, it is unthinkable for smaller healthcare companies to put up CT scan imaging procedures, but with the presence of rental companies, this is now possible.
There are many advantages to renting a mobile CT scanner. Let us have a rundown.
1. Minimal investment
As mentioned previously, purchasing a CT scanner is a significant financial burden. To smaller health institutions, the cost of investment will not be outweighed by the return. For instance, a local clinic that caters to a community of 100 families will have a hard time earning back the money invested on the scanner.
By renting a CT scanner, you share this financial responsibility with others. You get the benefits of having a scanner without having to pay the full amount for each. Through a rental scheme, you are not obligated to spend much more than what you need. If you only need to provide the imaging service for a specific period of time, you may do so by renting a CT scanner for a determined time frame.
2. Mobility
A mobile CT scanner is better than a traditional one in a lot of ways. The first and most apparent reason is its mobility. Conventional machines are bulky and usually attached to a permanent location. They are heavy machines that require a lot of manpower to move and transport.
A mobile CT scanner gives you ease in transportation while providing the same quality imaging procedure. It is quite literally the same machine on wheels. The computer tomography system is housed in a trailer on wheels that allows for its mobility. Mobile CT scanner can be in one local clinic today, then in a small hospital the next day. Its mobility allows more people to benefit from this medical advancement.
3. Easier installation
It is relatively easier to set up a mobile scanner. Upon the arrival of the machine, it is placed in a secure area and plugged in. After use, it can be simply unplugged and move into a location by technicians.
4. Testing
Testing CT scans before use is part of the standard operating procedure. However, testing once or twice does not guarantee a problem-free machine. With a rental CT scanner, it will not be the same case. Since the scanner is rented out to different entities, it undergoes actual use. It is tested in real-case scenarios, which proves efficacy and performance.
5. Lower maintenance cost
Because you can return the scanner once you are done using it or once your rental expires, the maintenance cost is almost non-existent. There is no need for the medical institution or the clinic to set up a particular imaging room and maintain it. Quality assurance staff and maintenance technicians need not be hired.
6. Better patient care
Aside from these benefits, having a CT scanner also improves the quality of medical care you can provide to your patients. With the presence of a CT scanner, you provide a higher degree of care and more accurate diagnoses. There is no need to refer your patients to other hospitals that offer the service.
A Final Word on The Advantages of Renting a Mobile CT Scanner
Renting makes it possible for smaller institutions and local clinics to compete with those far bigger than them.
In this day and age, nothing is more paramount than the preservation of life and health. With the advancement in medical technology, it becomes easier to detect and cure diseases. For any medical care provider, it is a priority to have the best machinery as much as possible.
If you think having a CT scanner is the right move for you, don’t hesitate to call us at (844) 949-1664. We will gladly assist you and answer your questions about our rental service.
Catalina Imaging uses the best scanners available from GE, Toshiba, and Siemens. We are committed to providing quality service to medical care providers by ensuring the efficiency of our state-of-the-art machines at all times. Call us today to learn more.
What people are saying
“The first time we used Catalina was based strictly on the referral from an associate, but we called them when we needed a mobile CT service again because they did a good job the first time.”
– Bill Alexander
Radiology Manager, St. Lukes Elmore Medical Center
“They provided daily calls to make sure the equipment was working properly and if there were ever any issues they were incredibly responsive. We've used them twice and both times were very good experiences.”
– Patty Brodehl
Radiology Manager, Dameron Hospital
“Initially we went with them because of the price and recommendation of someone else. Their follow up after delivery was great.”
– Marvin Sik
Radiology Manager, Memorial Hospital Converse
“We used Catalina Imaging because of their quick response time and flexibility with the duration of the contract. Also we use Toshiba so Catalina was a good fit.”
– David Broderick
Radiology Manager, Heber Valley Medical Center
“It's expected that problems will arise when using a mobile imaging service. What impressed me most was how fast they responded and how far they are willing to go to satisfy their client.”
– Ahmed
Radiology Manager, Victor Valley Medical Center
“Catalina Imaging was referred to us by another client and we were extremely satisfied. Everything they did for us was a 10 out of 10.”
– Alice
Radiology Manager, Malcom Grow Medical Clinic
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