Beginning Monday, July 18, 2022, Kettering Health Nuclear Medicine departments will discontinue call services at Kettering Health Dayton, Kettering Health Main Campus, Kettering Health Miamisburg, and Kettering Health Washington Township after 10 p.m., 7 days per week. Weekend call services will be available 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Urgent studies ordered overnight will be completed at the start of shift the following business day.
For weekend call studies, please page nuclear medicine following facility procedures between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Impact to patient care
- A review of network nuclear medicine call-in volumes after 10 p.m. found that on average, 1 patient per month is seen in nuclear medicine between 10 p.m.and 6 a.m. at each facility.
- Top studies for nuclear medicine call include NM Lung Scans (78%) and NM GI Bleed Scans (16%).
- With this change, nuclear medicine departments will reserve appointment spots for urgent in-patient and emergency patients at the start of the day ensuring timely patient care.
- Soin Medical Center and Kettering Health Greene Memorial discontinued nuclear medicine call services after 10 p.m. in May 2022
Impact to staff recruitment and retention
- Recruitment and retention challenges have had a great impact on healthcare.
- Nuclear medicine, a small field with a limited applicant pool, has become a highly competitive field.
- Local community hospitals reduced or eliminated call hours in nuclear medicine while Kettering Health has maintained 24-hour call coverage.
- Additionally, after hours studies require additional charges for radiopharmaceutical delivery and premium pay for radiopharmacist services.
Changes in call hours will create a minimum impact to patient care and strengthen Kettering Health’s position as a competitive employer.
For questions regarding nuclear medicine call coverage, please contact Rachael Sammet at (937) 395-8611.