Janene - We communicate ONE phone number to the ED to reach the radiologist(s) on call. This stays the same 24/7. We accomplish that by using VOIP phones and assigning the coverage pool. Radiologists have to have a VOIP phone to staff from home. There is movement (we are behind) to use "softphone" which is basically your monitor and a headset, or different mic process. These options have rollover if multiple rads working ED coverage, or to voice mail.
Further, the hospitals use secure chat technology that we require radiologists to log in so they are easily reached by not only the ED but different callers in the hospital. (Hospitalists etc.)
As failover, call rads from home ensure the CT techs have their cell phone, for those times the internet service fails so VOIP fails. It was a beast to design and train, but way better than a directory of phones for the ED to call and cleaner customer service. Good luck
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Beth Williams MHA, FACMPE, FRBMA
Executive Director
Vantage Radiology and Diagnostic Services
Federal Way WA
(253) 661-1700 ext. 1105
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-18-2023 11:35
From: Janene Markuske
Subject: physician on-call app/program or answering service
For groups that read remotely or have multiple hospitals to cover, when the ED needs to reach your DR's, how do they reach your doctors? Particularly for after-hours when there's not a DR sitting in the RR at the hosp.
- Do you employ an answering service with live people who act as a switchboard? (if so, what is it?)
- Do you give out your entire list of phone numbers to the ED and tell them to call whoever is on the schedule?
- Do you have an on-call app or program? (if so, what is it?) and does it integrate with QGenda?
- Do you have an IVR system with a dial-by-name directory?
- something else?