June Ebrief 2020

Edition: June 2020

Table of Contents

Letter from the Editor | FRS President’s Message | FRBMA President’s Message
Legislative Update | Job Posting Opportunities | Become a PAC Member

Letter from the Editor

As our country reopens after a short period of near complete shutdown, we all have learned to adjust with the new so-called “Normal”. Wearing masks in public places and Zoom video conferencing has become a new reality. Even though there was a sharp decline in imaging volumes, the patients are coming back and imaging volumes are rising. We all hope this trend continues.

We had a first time ever successful virtual ACR 2020 Annual Meeting. In case you missed it, the ACR has provided online access to the election results, review of the actions of the Council, and much more. This information can be found at: ACR 2020 Annual Meeting

Radiology practices around the country are adjusting to the new environment and the ACR is providing multiple resources to help us manage through the pandemic. ACR Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

Artificial Intelligence Update: AI continues to make major advancements in the field of Radiology. InformAI Classifies Conditions from Sinus and Brain Scans

Houston-based InformAI is stepping in to help reduce fatigue and stress of radiologists by building deep learning tools that can help analyze medical scans faster by using a 3D CNN(not our regular CNN news channel but “Convolutional Neural Networks). InformAI is developing a tool that analyzes brain MRI scans to detect whether a tumor or lesion is present, and can classify an abnormal scan as one of four conditions: glioblastoma, metastatic brain tumor, multiple sclerosis or lymphoma.

Corporatization in Healthcare has been on a rise for the last decade but the future for them is uncertain. KKR-Backed Envision Healthcare to Consider BankruptcyFiling

Highly leveraged conglomerates like Envision Healthcare which has over 900 radiologists is contemplating a bankruptcy filing.

“If you are depressed then you are living in the past. If you are anxious then you are living in the future. If you are at peace then you are living in the present.” —Lao Tzu

Chintan Desai, MD
Secretary, Florida Radiological Society
desai@desairadiology.com

Meet Your 2019 – 2020 FRS Executive Committee

President
Patricia Mergo, MD, FACR

President-Elect
Douglas Hornsby, MD

Treasurer
Rajendra Kedar, MD, FACR

FRS President’s Message

The last few weeks have brought violence and tensions and new challenges that further add to the havoc, unrest and unresolved anxiety brought on by COVID-19. We are awakened to civil and health disparities that are exposed by the shedding of layers of societal normalcy. The tragic events that have occurred in the past weeks are heart-wrenching and have to lead us to re-affirming our commitment to break through barriers that impede the achievement of social justice. These events provide an opportunity to evaluate areas of disparity and to serve as channels of positive change and influence.

I have spent countless hours of late pouring over social media posts, news articles and historical comparisons in an attempt to grasp an understanding of events in a manner that will help me to be a catalyst for positive action. As physicians, our core values bring us to the reckoning that we need to dig deeper and do more to continue to be in unity with the good forces that seeks positive change. Perhaps the most compelling piece that I have ever read that offers the most insight to me in these times is delivered in a very small paperback book entitled “The Way to Love, The Last Meditations of Anthony De Mello”. De Mello conveys that we cannot truly begin to love until we see others as they are and not as our perceptions have led us to see. In this pursuit, we must examine ourselves without misconception. In this act of seeing, love is born. A great example of this is provided in the past days by the images of police officers kneeling in front of protesters. The practice of medicine requires humility and understanding. Having been pushed to the brink of our understanding and comfort by the challenge of COVID-19, it’s nearly unfathomable to be challenged to reach deeper, but these times require it. Let’s take the que from those good souls on the front lines these past few weeks and let’s take time to collectively reflect, so we too can see.

Wishing you all healthy and happiness,

Patricia Mergo, MD, FACR
President, Florida Radiological Society
Mergo.Patricia@mayo.edu

Secretary
Chintan Desai, MD

Past President
Steven DePrima, MD, FACR

Legal Counsel
Michael M. Raskin, M.D., J.D., FACR

FRBMA President’s Message

Many are saying COVID-19 (the Novel Coronavirus) is the most brutal outbreak since the flu pandemic of 1918, which infected one-third of the world’s population. “Social distancing” and “shelter in place” have had a devastating impact on the U.S. economy and radiology has not been spared. In March, the American College of Radiology (ACR) urged its members to reschedule non-urgent, outpatient imaging procedures[1] and the protective policies referred to above temporarily reduced the demand for non-COVID-19 related imaging services. Both anecdotal and documented evidence indicates procedure volumes are down 40 to 60 percent in hospital-based settings and approaching 70 percent in free-standing centers.

And yet, there is the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.” Florida’s “stay-at-home” order ended on April 30th and businesses began reopening throughout much of the state on May 4th, with restaurants, for example, permitted to offer outdoor seating with certain restrictions. An upward turn in imaging procedures cannot be far behind and business managers and administrators are beginning to plan now for the “flood of rescheduled exams.”[2] The following are some ideas set forth by Aderhold and Deline for handling the pent-up demand.

Outpatient free-standing centers should develop a plan for increasing capacity by extending their business hours, which will allow for “catching up” on scans previously deemed non-urgent. For example, keep outpatient facilities open for an additional two hours on weekdays and one additional weekend day. Avoid taking for granted these exams will all return with no effort so take measures to advertise the new hours to both referring providers and patients. Your goal is to minimize lengthy wait times for appointments to mitigate encouraging consumers to shop for more timely care. Ensure technologists are cross trained to not only limit staff burnout, but to provide better coverage of the additional hours necessary to “catch up” on rescheduled exams.

The pandemic has led to more radiologists working from home and it is likely this trend will continue once COVID-19 is contained.[3] Practice administrators may want to consider maintaining radiologists’ remote workstations to accommodate timely reads as they are confronted with increased volumes. According to Stempniak, “radiologist blogger Barry Julius, MD, said he sees the coronavirus pandemic as a “wake-up call” to allow more of his peers to work from home.” Working from home can lead to both higher productivity and greater job satisfaction, as personnel can often avoid lengthy and tiring commutes.

COVID-19 has had a depressive effect on physician recruitment; however, managers may now be thinking about the resources they will need to accommodate their “new normal,” be it more teleradiology, more on-site personnel, or both. This “new normal” may also spur practice leaders to think “out of the box” with respect to revenue streams based on procedure volumes versus a methodology reliant on coverage-based or time-based models[4].

As we move beyond COVID-19, it’s important to consider what we have learned during this period, to analyze the impact it has had on our businesses, but to also move forward, trusting ourselves and our knowledge. In the words of Soren Kierkegaard, “life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

References
[1] Stempniak, M., “Radiologists urged to reschedule all nonurgent imaging in wake of COVID-19’s spread,” Healthcare Economics & Policy, March 17, 2020.

[2] Aderhold, T. and M. Deline, “8 ways imaging leaders can prepare for (and recover from) the Covid-19 surge,” The Reading Room, Advisory Board, April 13, 2020.

[3] Stempniak, M., “Radiologist predicts ‘sea change’ in specialty after COVID-19, with many docs reading from home,” Radiology Business, March 31, 2020.

[4] Postal, E., “The new normal in the post-Covid-19 world,” Diagnostic Imaging, April 27, 2020.

Barbara Rubel, MBA, FRBMA
President, FRBMA
brubel@msnllc.com

Legislative Update

It is June 3rd as I write this and we have gone from concerns of the spread of the Coronavirus to worries about rioting and looting. It is a challenging time for all.

On the political front, Senator Tom Lee(R) has resigned from the Senate creating an open seat in the Tampa/Brandon area. He has stated he wants more family time and that the Senate has changed and he no longer wants to be part of it. He is rumored to be setting his sights to run for Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court as Pat Frank, current clerk is retiring. His seat is not a strong Republican performing seat. Former House member Danny Burgess (R) has resigned from his position as head of the Veteran’s Affairs Department to run for the seat. Representative Jamie Grant(R) has announced he will not seek the seat. President designee Wilton Simpson(R) and State Republican Leader Senator Kathleen Passidomo have issued their support for Burgess. This will be a key race that the Democrats will target to try and take control of the Senate.

The Governor released a new Executive order opening bars and movie theaters effective Friday except for South Florida excluding Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward. Those excluded counties can work with their local Mayor’s and County Commissioner’s to seek waivers.

The rumors of a special session to address the short fall in the budget due to the Coronavirus seem to be quieting down. The state will face a huge deficit but the leadership feels that the rainy day fund and the anticipated federal revenues will keep the need for a special session at bay. The Governor still has not received the budget passed this Session to act on. There are varied predictions on how much he will veto.

Everyone does agree that next Session will see huge revenue shortfalls across the board.

Campaign season is revving up and the fundraising calls have started. Qualifying ends next week, Friday 12th at noon and then we will officially know who is running for what seat and who is unopposed at that time.

Florida’s Primary is August 18th and the General election is November 3rd. It still remains to be determined how those elections will be held. Will they be live or all by mail in ballots?

We definitely live in interesting times! Please stay safe and well. Please direct any questions you may have to my email at alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com.

Thanks,
Alison Dudley, FRS Lobbyist
AlisonDudley@dudleyandassociates.com

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

Job Posting Opportunities

Florida Radiological Society is pleased to introduce the opportunity for interested parties to advertise for potential jobs in our monthly FRS Ebrief bulletin.

Advertisement pricing is as follows:

Ebrief Job Posting pricing:
3 months ($100 monthly)
6 months ($90 monthly)
12 months ($80 monthly)

Please contact Lorraine Roger, our Society Administrator for further information on how to advertise in our monthly publication.

ph (813) 806-1070
fx (813) 806-1071
email lroger@flrad.org

We feel that this will provide a valuable service to both our members and our Florida community of Radiology.

Thank you for your interest!
Patricia Mergo, MD
President, FRS

Become a PAC Member Today

Attention FRBMA Members! Please support the cause. We encourage you to be PAC members and supporters; you do not have to belong to the FRS. Donations can be made online through our PAC website www.FLRADPAC.org.

It is critical that we support both our Florida PAC and RADPAC in order to bolster our voice in Tallahassee and Washington, respectively. Please join FRS lobbyist Alison Dudley in her special appeal for all Florida radiologists to become Florida PAC members. If you would like to help FRS defend radiology against untoward legislation and introduce bills that have a positive impact on our practices, we need your financial support to re-elect our friends in the state House and Senate. The FRS can also show you simplified ways on how to sign up your radiology group. Contact Lorraine Roger at lroger@flrad.org or contact Alison Dudley at alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com for more information.

Telephone (813) 806-1070 • Fax (813) 806-1071
5620 W. Sligh Avenue • Tampa, Florida 33634

The E-Brief is an exclusive member benefit of Florida Radiological Society, delivering monthly member, chapter and industry news. Please do not reply to this automatic e-mail. For comments or questions about the E-Brief, please contact lroger@flrad.org.

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