Radiology, Vol 154, 349-351, Copyright © 1985 by Radiological Society of North America
Inpatient admissions for interventional radiology: philosophy of patient management
ML Kinnison, RI White Jr, M Auster, R Hewes, SE Mitchell, L Shuman and D Gallacher
As an alternative to performing interventional radiology on inpatients
under the care of internists and surgeons, the authors have established a
cardiovascular radiology admitting service for well-screened, elective
patients. The patients are admitted under the care of a cardiovascular
radiology fellow and a staff physician. From April 1982 to December 1983,
133 patients were admitted to the service. Patients are cared for in a
surgical ward or in an intermediate unit, as determined by the clinical
situation. Advantages of this approach include a broader patient referral
base, improved rapport with clinical colleagues and patients, improved
follow-up data, and rapid evaluation and treatment, resulting in short
hospital stays. The major disadvantages involve the commitment of time and
staff necessary to provide quality care. The concept of the interventional
radiologist in the role of admitting physician has important implications
in terms of negotiations for additional financial compensation,
commensurate with the skill and time required for performing these
procedures and caring for the patient.
