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The radiologists at Baptist M&S Imaging are all board certified. We also offer the convenience of having seven imaging centers located throughout San Antonio. We specialize in accommodating patients with managed healthcare plans and we accept virtually all forms of insurance, as well as Medicaid and Medicare.
Baptist M&S Imaging Associates uses state-of-the-art equipment and offers all modalities of radiological services. We are committed to patient and physician satisfaction. It's a concept that has served Baptist M&S Imaging Associates for more than half a century and will continue to guide us into the future. Your care is our priority, and at Baptist M&S Imaging Associates, you can count on quality service.
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3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM
As you may have heard, a worldwide shortage of Tc-99m is expected to heighten over the coming weeks and months. This will affect the way we diagnose patients. The advantage of knowing in advance that this shortage is coming allows physicians to plan alternate scans so that patient care will not be adversely affected. At this time, Baptist M&S Imaging Centers expect to have only a limited amount of Tc-99m from March 21 – 31, and so we expect to be able to use the substance for bone scans only for emergency cases during that time. Our goal in this effort is to provide the best patient care we can during this expected time of shortage. When is the peak of the shortage expected? A shortage can occur at anytime but we expect the peak between March 21 – 31, 2010. What patients will be affected? Tc-99m is used primarily to diagnose patients with some cancers and heart conditions. What exams will be affected? Bone Scans- Radiotracer availability will be limited. It would be useful to plan ahead. If a patient is known to need a routine scan during the period of the shortage, it could be ordered ahead of time (late February or early to mid March). Otherwise, the access to radiotracer will be very limited during the shortage. Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scans- Radiotracer will be available for emergent cases as much as is possible. Non-emergent cases can be scheduled either before the shortage or after the supply returns. Pulmonary perfusion (VQ) scans- Radiotracer will be available for emergent cases as much as is possible. Non-emergent cases can be scheduled either before the shortage or after the supply returns. Pulmonary perfusion (VQ) Scans - Radiotracer will be available for emergent cases as much as is possible. Non-emergent cases can be scheduled either before the shortage or after the supply returns. Tc-99m Sestamibi Cardiac Perfusion Scans- Thallium 201- based cardiac perfusion scans will be readily available, although Tc-99m Sestamibi scans will be limited. Parathyroid Scans- Radiotracer will be limited during the shortage. Gastric Emptying Studies- Radiotracer will be limited during the shortage. Renal scans- Radiotracer will be limited during the shortage. What alternate tests are appropriate? SODIUM FLUORIDE BONE SCANS- This is an FDA approved bone scan that has increased sensitivity and specificity over a 99m Tc scan. It is covered under a select few private insurance companies. At this time Medicare or Medicaid does not cover it, although CMS is considering adding it to the NOPR/ PET registry. If you would be interested in ordering one of these scans or would like some articles or case studies on this procedure please let us know. Click here for additional information. Pulmonary perfusion (VQ) Scans - CT Angio Chest Without and With Contrast provides a useful alternative in those patients without contraindication to IV iodinated contrast. Renal Scans - If the concern is for Renal Artery Stenosis, an anatomic imaging study such as MRA Abdomen may be appropriate. What caused this shortage? Because the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor remains down for repair and the Netherlands’ High-Flux Reactor (HFR) will be offline beginning February 19 for a scheduled six-month maintenance, 1 the U.S. nuclear medicine community will experience significant Tc-99m shortages for several weeks. In addition, a number of other medical-isotope producing reactors around the globe are scheduled for maintenance and service in the upcoming weeks. The result of these events will create an unprecedented and acute supply shortage of Tc-99m from March 21-31. Click here for additional information. The Radiologists and staff of Baptist M&S Imaging and Baptist Health System are always available to answer questions about specific tests and other concerns related to this matter.
