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Committee approves bill allowing radiologist assistants to communicate preliminary image interpretations
Summary
Senate Bill 2549 clarifies existing practice and authorizes radiologist assistants to communicate preliminary image interpretations marked "preliminary," with the radiologist responsible for the final report; committee voted the bill out by voice vote after Q&A on documentation and access to images via PACS.
Senator Blackwell described SB 2549 as a clarification of existing practice for radiologist assistants, aimed at improving timely care in small and rural hospitals. The sponsor said the bill allows radiologist assistants to communicate a preliminary image interpretation that must be labeled "preliminary," and that a licensed radiologist must still provide the final, definitive report. "So all this does is allows them to communicate the preliminary report. It has to be marked preliminary, and then the radiologist has to give the final report," Senator Blackwell said.
Committee members asked about form and timing of the communication (written versus phone) and whether other clinicians would have access to the images. Senator Blackwell and others explained that communications are often by phone at point of service, and that images are stored in PACS (picture archiving and communication systems) providing access to providers with privileges. The committee then approved title‑sufficient due pass by voice vote.
Why it matters: The change aims to speed actionable information to treating clinicians in settings where immediate radiologist interpretation is not always available; the sponsor limited the change by requiring the preliminary label and a final radiologist report.
