New radiology rules

If an agenda item is passed at tonight's meeting of the Medical Center Hospital Board of Directors, it could mean a change of policy for radiologists at the hospital.

If passed, the proposal would give an exclusive contract to doctors in MCH's ProCare radiology group, said Bill Webster, MCH chief executive officer. Unless grandfathered in, only physicians in the hospital's 501(a), a not-for-profit corporation designed to hire physicians to work for the hospital, will be able to read radiological images.

"It's very common for hospitals to have an exclusive agreement with a particular group in order to perform services," Webster said.

The exclusive contract would have several advantages, Webster said.

"It's the best way to ensure we have 24/7 coverage for all patients," he said.

It would also give the same level of care to all patients, Webster said. Additionally, it would provide a more efficient level of care, while making scheduling easier.

The ProCare radiology group, which started in December, currently has six doctors. Webster said it hopes to reach eight by the end of 2008.

The plan for an exclusive contract has been in the works for several years, Webster said.

Before the radiology group started, MCH changed ProCare's bylaws to allow the radiologists to travel to hospitals in Crane and Fort Stockton.

Efforts to reach Dr. George Rodenko, MCH's medical director of radiology, were not successful Monday.