Thursday , December 5 2024

Not all Imaging Centers are Equal: Making the Right Choice is Crucial

Not all Imaging Centers are Equal:  Making the Right Choice is CrucialChoosing where a patient would prefer to go for their imaging needs, often gets overlooked. When a physician orders a diagnostic image like a CT, MRI or X-ray, electing an organization with the highest-level radiology team to accurately read and report your results to your referring physician is significant.
BayCare Imaging is a well-established imaging practice with board-certified radiologists that work very closely with referring doctors. Not all imaging centers are as up to date, accurate in diagnosis, or willing to invest in the latest, most, advanced technology as Baycare. Making sure your imaging center is one that offers fellowship-trained, onsite-radiologists who specialize in specific fields of interest (neurology, vascular, oncology, etc.) is essential to your diagnosis, health, outcome, and treatment options.
If you were referred to an orthopedic surgeon for a total hip replacement, researching and deciding on the most qualified physician would be of the utmost importance; so with radiology, it’s just as imperative. This is especially the case if you are in need of a specific diagnosis such as a brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, or breast cancer just to name a few. When it comes to your health, inaccuracy or oversights are not an option. That is why choosing BayCare Imaging is highly-regarded and recommended by both patients and their doctors.
We caught up with Todd Jones, Vice President of Ambulatory Experience and Operations at BayCare.
Q: What sets BayCare Imaging apart from others?
A: BayCare Health System has 28 Imaging locations that are connected to 15 BayCare hospitals across the Tampa Bay area. We have a team of radiologists, technologists, administrators and team members who utilize the latest advanced imaging technology to help provide fast and accurate results.
BayCare offers a full range of diagnostic testing from digital x-ray, ultrasound, 3D mammography, CT, PET/CT and MRI testing to minimally invasive interventions such as imaging-guided biopsies, pain management, and vascular procedures, all performed on an outpatient basis.
All of our imaging locations are ACR (American College of Radiology) accredited. To achieve the ACR Gold Standard of Accreditation, our facilities’ personnel qualifications, equipment requirements, quality assurance, and quality control procedures have gone through a rigorous review process and have met the highest level of imaging quality and patient safety standards.
Customer service and patient satisfaction are top priorities. BayCare Imaging consistently scores in the 90th percentile in patient satisfaction in the areas of friendliness of staff, skill of staff, and the and likelihood to recommend or refer the facility or practitioner to others. Several locations achieved the 2018 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for reaching the 95th percentile ranking for patient satisfaction consistently over a one-year period.
Q: What advanced diagnostic technology does BayCare offer?
A: BayCare offers a full range of screening and diagnostic technology to serve the needs of our community:
• Digital x-ray
• Ultrasound
• DXA Bone Density Testing
• 3D Mammography (Screening and Diagnostic)
• MRI
• CT
• PET/CT
• Nuclear Medicine
Q: How are your radiologists trained and experienced in subspecialties and how does this affect the patient diagnosis?
A: All of our radiologists are board-certified. Many are also fellowship-trained in specialty areas such as breast, musculoskeletal, neurology, and vascular interventions.
Q: What important factors do you want patients to know when it relates to diagnostic imaging?
A: BayCare Imaging uses the most up-to-date, current technology. We’re continuously upgrading our equipment to ensure we are offering the highest standard of care to our patients.
Our board-certified radiologists are always on-site. This gives our technologists who are performing exams direct access to the radiologists for consultation – to ensure we provide the best images possible for the most accurate diagnosis.
BayCare’s imaging technologists are not only compassionate and caring; they are accredited in their field and participate in ongoing education, ensuring they are up-to-date in their specialty area.
Q: What else does BayCare Imaging offer?
A: BayCare Imaging offers online scheduling, same day appointment and walk-in availability for X-rays. We also contact the ordering physician with abnormal results. For example, for diagnostic mammography testing, patients know their result before they leave their appointment.
We provide 24-48-hour report turn-around for referring physicians. Test results are now digitally available to physicians through our physician’s portal and to patients through BayCare’s patient portal.
We have bilingual staff in many locations and have available interpretation services for any language. We accept most insurance including auto and workers compensation, and we participate with most HMO’s & PPO’s.
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org.
To schedule an imaging appointment, call
(855) 269-4333 or schedule online.
For more information, please visit their website at BayCareImaging.org

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