Establishing a CT colonography service.
This article describes the steps involved in establishing a screening computed tomographic colonography (CTC) practice and integrating that practice within a gastroenterology practice. The standard operating procedures followed at the National Naval Medical Center's Colon Health Initiative are presented and are followed by a discussion of practical aspects of establishing a CTC practice, such as equipment specifications, CTC performance, and interpretation training requirements for radiologists and nonradiologists. Regulatory considerations involved in establishing a screening CTC program are examined along with the salient features of a CTC business plan. Finally, reimbursement issues, quality control, and the potential impact of screening CTC on colonoscopy practice are discussed.
Cash
Brooks D
BD
Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, USA. brooks.cash@med.navy.mil
D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology