The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Secretary-Treasurer, Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, and Chief Executive Officer, William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, presented an interview-discussion, “The Pandemic’s Impact on Radiology Practices,” as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s ASPR TRACIE program speaker series. ASPR TRACIE is a healthcare emergency preparedness information gateway that ensures all stakeholders at the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government levels, in nongovernmental organizations, and in the private sector have access to information and resources to improve preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts.
The interview featured Smetherman’s experience as Chair, Department of Radiology and Associate Medical Director, Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans, as New Orleans was one of the earliest COVID-19 hotspots in early 2020. Noting Ochsner’s history of responding to natural disaster/emergency situations, Smetherman discussed clinical and operational components of Ochsner’s response, highlighting how lessons learned from earlier crises has helped them through the challenges of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Specific topics addressed included staffing challenges due to the disruption of childcare and other support systems, personal protective equipment, patient scheduling issues, prioritizing care, resumption of cancer screening and delayed care, infection control, patient and referrer expectations, hybrid work environment, resident training issues, and iodinated contrast shortage challenges.
For more information, contact Gloria Romanelli, JD, ACR Senior Director, Legislative and Regulatory Relations.