#1:  Is your current teleradiology provider physician owned and operated?

Physician owners empathize with your clinical requirements and are more responsive to your needs as a practicing physician. Some of the largest teleradiology companies are publicly held corporations. They are pressured to answer to the demands of private equity investors and stockholders in the pursuit of profit. This influence can impact pricing, staffing, and patient care.

When you have a clinical need, who is answering the phone? Is a physician responding directly to your request?  Are you getting a patient-centric response?

#2:  What is the financial health of your current teleradiology provider?

Is your facility frustrated with its financially stressed teleradiology provider? Some companies have even declared bankruptcy. Poor economic health of a company can impact delivery of service in many ways, and might adversely affect turn around times, physician availability, pricing, and care.

An abundance of concerning headlines should not overshadow the existence of financially healthy teleradiology practices, like Excalibur. Our stability allows us to deliver consistent service.

#3:  Is there a concern with credentialing new physicians?

Working with a provider that is Joint Commission Accredited offers “Credentialing by Proxy”. CMS allows the governing body of a hospital or CAH (Critical Access Hospital) whose patients are receiving telemedicine services to grant privileges in reliance on the credentialing and privileging decisions made by the distant-site hospital. This also permits hospitals and CAHs to rely on credentialing and privileging decisions made by “distant-site telemedicine entities,” such as teleradiology groups and ambulatory surgery centers.

Excalibur Healthcare is Joint Commission accredited and strives to provide reasonable assurance that our doctors meet or exceed hospital or CAH requirements.

#4. Are you getting final interpretations?

Final interpretations provide the most cost-effective use of your teleradiology dollars and decrease the workload for your current radiology group by eliminating the need for re-reading the overnight exams.

With a roster of US-based, board-certified, fellowship-trained radiologists from reputable medical institutions, choosing Excalibur gives you final interpretations.

#5:  How responsive is the company to your questions and concerns?

Are your calls going into a call center, only to wind up on extended hold? Does correspondence seem too automated?

Having access to the owner of the teleradiology practice leads to a more personalized approach to addressing your needs. This streamlines the process and cuts down on any delays that may be experienced when dealing with a corporate entity that must answer to a board to affect change.

#6:  Does your remote radiology service provider give you the flexibility you need?

We know that there are situations when practices/facilities face unexpected staffing shortages.  At those times you need a partner that is able to provide interpretations. If your current solution does not provide you with back up/overflow-services with a single phone call, you need to change to a company that can meet your demand at a moment’s notice.

#7: Ask your staff how they view your current provider.

It’s important that you consider staff feedback at contract renewal time. In-house staff often provides the best insights on performance.

#8:  Technologists: Are the radiologists accessible for questions or suggestions on scanning protocols?

Radiologist support is essential when there are patients awaiting scans.  A dedicated group of radiologists should be assigned to your practice to facilitate timely communications that lead to improved patient outcomes and fewer repeat scans.

#9:  Practice Manager: Are the reports timely and is the quality of service consistent?

Often the Practice Manager is the one who must apologize to the referring physicians if there is a delay in report availability. Consistency is key to maintaining your referral base. There is nothing more important than receiving quality, timely reports from a partner you can trust to deliver 24/7/365.

#10:  Physicians:  Are they satisfied with reports they receive and are the radiologists readily available for consultations should they have questions?

A designated group of radiologists assigned to each client, who are available to discuss patient history and symptoms facilitates the highest quality reports and best possible patient outcomes. Having a smaller cadre of radiologists reduces the burden of credentialing a large number of physicians and allows for a closer working relationship with your staff. These physicians actually get to know your clinicians and technicians and you get to know them. Your radiologists should be a phone call away and services should be the same as if they were just down the hall…if not, a new solution is in order.

A quality provider is there for you 24/7/365.  Service, efficiency, accessibility and costs must be carefully evaluated.  If you have question marks in any or all of these areas, consider an alternative teleradiology solution:

Excalibur Healthcare. 

Our approach is not one-size fits all. We know that your requirements are unique and we take the time to get to know you and your staff and you have the opportunity to know us as well. Our relationships are what set us apart from our competitors…we are here for you! Excalibur has 20 plus years of extensive experience providing teleradiology services. Call us at 888.212.4422 or email info@excaliburmed.com