ACR bolsters teleradiology statement

Saying it was acting to protect patient safety, the American College of Radiology has issued a new statement on international teleradiology, calling for offshore physicians who interpret teleradiology images to meet or exceed the same standards met by physicians practicing in the U.S.

The statement, which was approved by the ACR Council today at the ACR's 81st annual meeting and chapter leadership conference, holds that certification by the American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology is the best means for the healthcare consumer to judge the qualifications of radiologists.

The ACR said that to achieve these standards, physicians who interpret images by teleradiology shall:

• Be licensed to practice medicine in the state where the imaging examination is originally obtained, as well as possess any medical or licensure required within the jurisdiction of the interpretation site.
• Be credentialed as a provider and maintain appropriate privileges in the health facility or hospital in the U.S. where the examination is performed.
• Have appropriate medical liability coverage for the state in which the examination was obtained.
• Be responsible for the quality of the images being interpreted.

The ACR also said that physicians practicing outside the U.S. must submit to the jurisdiction of, and be completely accountable to, all applicable state and federal laws in the U.S. Also, radiology groups, hospitals, and other entities in the U.S. should enter into contracts for interpretation of imaging exams provided from outside the U.S. with only those physicians who meet the foregoing criteria, according to the Reston, VA-based society.

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
May 14, 2004

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