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Committee hears bill to allow supervised administration of imaging contrast by allied clinicians
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Summary
Representative Schmidt told the Senate Health Committee House Bill 479 would update Ohio law to let radiologist assistants and certain licensed clinicians give CT and MRI contrast under physician supervision, citing an American College of Radiology policy update and arguing the change improves access and safety, especially in rural areas.
Representative Melissa Schmidt provided sponsor testimony for House Bill 479, saying the measure would update Ohio law on supervision of contrast-media administration for CT and MRI and align state practice with recent professional guidance. “House Bill 479 will allow a radiologist assistant to administer the contrast under the remote supervision of a radiologist,” Schmidt said, and would permit registered nurses, radiographers, radiation therapy technologists and nuclear medicine technologists to provide contrast under direct or general physician supervision.
Schmidt told the committee the American College of Radiology updated its policies in February 2024 and that the Ohio Radiological Society helped draft the bill. “They assisted in helping to craft this bill, which will ensure that Ohioans are able to get the images they need and continue to do so in a safe manner,” she said.
Senator Robinshaw pressed for clarity on whether the change flowed from an ACR policy or a federal statutory mandate. “Was there policy change in the American College of Radiology … or were these federal statute rules that changed?” she asked. Schmidt said her understanding was that the changes were made at the federal level but acknowledged she had not confirmed whether those changes were mandatory or advisory.
Committee chair (Chair) clarified the federal practice shift the sponsor described: “The feds changed, said, well, you don't need direct supervision, but you need indirect supervision where you have to be by phone or available,” the chair said, describing the move from on-site direct supervision to remote availability and institution-level competency training for staff administering contrast.
The sponsor also emphasized safety safeguards in the bill: whenever remote or general supervision is used, a qualified health-care provider must be present to respond to adverse reactions and the supervising physician must be available for consultation. Schmidt said the bill’s language can be refined in committee and welcomed amendments from members.
The committee did not vote on the bill at this hearing; the chair closed the first hearing on House Bill 479 and moved on to other agenda items.
