Practice Management

I'm looking for any feedback anyone is willing to provide in which case you may be utilizing PAs in the mammography space (outpatient, not in a Hospital) to perform breast biopsies under the supervision of radiologists. We're already utilizing PAs in the IR space, but have not yet gone into mammo with them. I've gotten some preliminary feedback from a colleague here in FL from a group that used to do this, but it turned out to be an issue with ACR accreditations in the place of service (in a women's hospital). I'm just trying to determine if anyone is already doing this and has a good understanding of whether there are issues for accreditation if being done in the outpatient space.

Thanks,
Scott Fortson

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2022 2:21:00 PM
From: Scott Fortson
Subject: PAs in the mammography suite

I'm looking for any feedback anyone is willing to provide in which case you may be utilizing PAs in the mammography space (outpatient, not in a Hospital) to perform breast biopsies under the supervision of radiologists. We're already utilizing PAs in the IR space, but have not yet gone into mammo with them. I've gotten some preliminary feedback from a colleague here in FL from a group that used to do this, but it turned out to be an issue with ACR accreditations in the place of service (in a women's hospital). I'm just trying to determine if anyone is already doing this and has a good understanding of whether there are issues for accreditation if being done in the outpatient space.

Thanks,
Scott Fortson

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------

Thanks, Keith! I knew someone would probably know this right off the cuff. I appreciate your feedback and hope to see you in Colorado Springs!

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2022 14:28
From: Keith Chew
Subject: PAs in the mammography suite

Scott – The ACR does not allow a PA or an NP to perform a breast biopsy in an ACR/MQSA certified center. See below from the ACR FAQs.

 

Only qualified physicians may independently perform ultrasound guided breast biopsy procedures at facilities accredited by the ACR. Physician Assistants or Radiologist's Assistants cannot perform without a qualified physician being in the room at the time of the biopsy procedure

 

I guess they can do the biopsy but the radiologist must be in the room so no real savings of radiologist time.....

 

Keith E. Chew, MHA, CMPE, FRBMA

Principal

Consulting with Integrity

18 Hawks Nest

Chatham, IL     62629

217-971-5293

 

Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2022 2:21:00 PM
From: Scott Fortson
Subject: PAs in the mammography suite

I'm looking for any feedback anyone is willing to provide in which case you may be utilizing PAs in the mammography space (outpatient, not in a Hospital) to perform breast biopsies under the supervision of radiologists. We're already utilizing PAs in the IR space, but have not yet gone into mammo with them. I've gotten some preliminary feedback from a colleague here in FL from a group that used to do this, but it turned out to be an issue with ACR accreditations in the place of service (in a women's hospital). I'm just trying to determine if anyone is already doing this and has a good understanding of whether there are issues for accreditation if being done in the outpatient space.

Thanks,
Scott Fortson

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2022 2:43:00 PM
From: Scott Fortson
Subject: RE: PAs in the mammography suite

Thanks, Keith! I knew someone would probably know this right off the cuff. I appreciate your feedback and hope to see you in Colorado Springs!

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2022 14:28
From: Keith Chew
Subject: PAs in the mammography suite

Scott – The ACR does not allow a PA or an NP to perform a breast biopsy in an ACR/MQSA certified center. See below from the ACR FAQs.

 

Only qualified physicians may independently perform ultrasound guided breast biopsy procedures at facilities accredited by the ACR. Physician Assistants or Radiologist's Assistants cannot perform without a qualified physician being in the room at the time of the biopsy procedure

 

I guess they can do the biopsy but the radiologist must be in the room so no real savings of radiologist time.....

 

Keith E. Chew, MHA, CMPE, FRBMA

Principal

Consulting with Integrity

18 Hawks Nest

Chatham, IL     62629

217-971-5293

 

Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2022 2:21:00 PM
From: Scott Fortson
Subject: PAs in the mammography suite

I'm looking for any feedback anyone is willing to provide in which case you may be utilizing PAs in the mammography space (outpatient, not in a Hospital) to perform breast biopsies under the supervision of radiologists. We're already utilizing PAs in the IR space, but have not yet gone into mammo with them. I've gotten some preliminary feedback from a colleague here in FL from a group that used to do this, but it turned out to be an issue with ACR accreditations in the place of service (in a women's hospital). I'm just trying to determine if anyone is already doing this and has a good understanding of whether there are issues for accreditation if being done in the outpatient space.

Thanks,
Scott Fortson

------------------------------
Scott Fortson
Executive Director
Radiology Associates of Clearwater
Clearwater FL
(727) 441-3711
------------------------------