You can show Kirk Hintz the money, or show him the data, but what he really wants to see is the variance. Formerly an options trader in Naples, Fla., with some practice administration experience, Hintz assumed the position of CEO for Nashville-based Radiology Alliance two years ago.

The 25-bed Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) in Skowhegan, Maine, may be small, but it is absolutely essential to the health of its community.

For some healthcare providers, a RIS is simply nice to have. But for large, multispecialty practices with an imaging component, it is an imperative. Changes effected by such technology at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC), Texas, are proof positive that a best-of-breed RIS can make a big difference on many levels, operational and otherwise.

Radiology’s current environment has often been described as a perfect storm—but Curtis Kauffman-Pickelle, publisher of ImagingBiz and president/CEO of the Kauffman Group, sees it differently. “Some of the current market conditions are negative and some are positive, but combined, they create a significant opportunity,” he says. 

Ray Montecalvo, MD, medical director for Virtual Radiologic (vRad), describes the key benefit of radiology analytics simply: they take emotion out of the equation. 

Radiology analytics is one key asset with which to preserve our specialty’s future, prevent commoditization and avoid being viewed as a cost center to be managed as opposed to an indispensable partner with an earned seat at the table.  

Radiographic imaging of pediatric patients presents a number of unique challenges compared to the imaging of adults. Learn more.

Managing a radiology practice to achieve increased effectiveness and improved productivity is essential not only for survival, but also to maintain positive cash flow in today’s healthcare environment.