Our Story
The imaging Fusion concept began 10 years ago. With exposure to thousands of Radiology managers throughout the country during leadership positions with imaging’s professional association, one common theme was disclosed. The skill levels of imaging managers varied widely. They ranged from Promoted-thru-Peter’s-Principal, to highly skilled MBAs. The highly skilled Radiology leaders managed profitable operations, while the less skilled leaders managed people, unaware of their profit/loss status.
So why are imaging departments managed so differently? The wide-variance is because facilities rely on one manager, who works within a silo. There are no published standards, or benchmarks to follow. If we had one set of standards, we could manage in a structured environment that is repeatable, scalable and did not rely on one individual for success. This was the beginning of a vision toward the future, and the future is imaging Fusion. In essence, imaging Fusion is a concept which grew up to be a data repository for this country’s medical imaging management.
ProFusion, the data repository software will created industry benchmarks, which can standardize the management of our Radiology departments. “From 2000 through 2006, Medicare spending for imaging services more than doubled—increasing to about $14 billion. Spending on advanced imaging, such as CT scans, MRIs, and nuclear medicine, rose substantially faster than other imaging services such as ultrasound, X-ray, and other standard imaging. By 2006, in-office imaging spending per beneficiary varied almost eight-fold across the states—from $62 in Vermont to $472 in Florida. Given the pressures of a fiscally unsustainable Medicare program, CMS has undertaken several initiatives aimed at improving its performance as a purchaser of health care services.” Taken from GAO (Government Accountability Office) report, June 2008. Variations among spending cross over into management variations as well.
imaging Fusion incorporated on February 22, 2007, the result of years discussing how impossible it is for one Radiology Director to run an efficient and profitable department. We feel the better method is to provide tools to gauge one facility’s performance against like-facilities across the country, ultimately reducing imaging costs nationwide. imaging Fusion has found that when imaging costs are standardized, approximately $22 billion can be saved in this country. The silos of radiology management need to be removed.
imaging Fusion’s approach is to create industry standards for the following:
- Overtime, Absenteeism and Vacancy rates
- Productivity levels
- Revenue/Exam per modality
- Cost/Exam per modality
- Volume trends
- Staffing Best Practices
- Denial/Exception Trends
- Turnaround Time by modality and by tracking steps
- Service Excellence scoring
- Maintenance/service costs
imaging Fusion developed ProFusion, a dashboard software, which acts as a repository for other imaging Fusion facilities to compare against. Each facility gains the ability to gauge their own performance regarding service, outcomes and economics. Trends and forecasts reside right at your fingertips. Decision-making becomes evidence-based. Strategies become successful.
