Initial Impact of COVID-19 on Radiology Practices: An ACR/RBMA Survey

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Healthcare Management
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
• Radiology practices, integral to patient diagnosis and care, faced significant operational disruptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology imaging volumes.
• To assess the financial implications for radiology practices during the initial phase of the pandemic (April 2020).

Main Methods:

• A survey of 48 questions was distributed to members of the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiology Business Management Association in May 2020.
• The survey collected data on practice demographics, imaging volumes, financial performance, staffing, and recovery expectations.

Main Results:

• Nearly all radiology practices reported substantial declines in imaging volumes (56.4%-63.7%), particularly in outpatient settings.
• Mean gross charges and collections decreased significantly (50.1%-54.8% and 46.4%-53.9%, respectively).
• While most anticipated recovery, 16% reported radiologists testing positive for COVID-19, and over half faced personal protective equipment shortages.

Conclusions:

• Radiology practices experienced severe declines in imaging and revenue during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
• Practices implemented operational adjustments, including the adoption or expansion of teleradiology capabilities.
• The pandemic necessitated adaptive strategies for short- and long-term practice sustainability.