Survey of after-hours coverage of emergency department imaging studies by US academic radiology departments

Purpose The aim of this study was to document how academic radiology departments cover emergency department radiologic services after hours. Methods Program directors of neuroradiology fellowship programs were invited to participate in a web-based survey addressing how their radiology departments covered after-hours emergency department studies. Results A total of 67 separate institutional responses were obtained from 96 institutions, for a 70% response rate. Seventy-three percent of programs (49 of 67) reported providing exclusively preliminary interpretations on emergency department reports for some overnight hours. Only 27% of respondents (18 of 67) said that they provided 24-hour real-time staff coverage. Among those who provided around-the-clock staff coverage, 72% (13 of 18) did so with dedicated emergency department sections. Only 2 respondents offered 24-hour subspecialty staff coverage. Emergency departments and hospital administrators were noted as the most frequent drivers of these changes. Conclusions Academic radiology departments vary widely in how they cover after-hours emergency department examinations. A number have recently expanded their hours of coverage under institutional pressures.