Alpha RT RSNA 2023: Pioneering Remote MRI Scanning Q&A

[@fuwbar]

This technology will drive down the wages of MRI technologists. It’s simple economics. Look at the pay for these positions. I’ve done remote scanning myself and the pay was below the market rate. The advantage was the elimination of commuting & fuel costs but overall the experience was not better for the patient. Plus I was doing up to 4-5 patients at a time.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I talked to someone that was doing this as well. 4-5 patients and only getting paid 36 dollar an hour. That is definitely a gut punch for any tech wanting to get into MRI.

[@neilhuber811]

Then you must unfortunately be employed by the wrong company. Alpha RT is scanning 1:1 right now and has the development occurs, we take a very diligent approach to 2:1. That said, the reason for this is to ensure remote scanning is being done safely and responsibly.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

Doing an exam on a pt that is for a MS Brain and spine w/wo scan that you CANNOT do two patients at the same time!!! I did one last week and it took me 20 minutes to set up all the PRE gad scans with no break, no paperwork, no answering the phone. Focused. This company isn't doing what most think of as 'remote'. I thought it was doing it from home. NOPE. This company has a central location that you have to go to. You are in a room with other techs doing the same thing. Which is okay, but I want to do it from home.

[@brianvecc]

You can absolutely do it from home - though the technical, security and regulatory requirements to enable this are challenging for a technologist to implement on their home internet connection. It's new technology and it took a few years for Radiologists to be able to read effectively from the home environment...

[@neilhuber811]

I agree, some MRI exams must be 1:1. We have protocols in play where certain techs scan more sensitive cases and where others scan 1:1 or 2:1 on more routine cases. Re: residential scanning, it sounds nice and MAYBE that happens in the future. BUT, if you are a patient how do you feel about your PHI being accessible inside someone’s home? There are certain standards that must be taking into consideration - such as a secure location inside a techs home (non-accessible to other family members) and several integrations of security firewalls. I am sure you would like your PHI protected and we want to ensure we do that for every patient we scan as well.