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David Ling, M.D.

Added Value

Managed Care Update

Breast Cancer Golf Festival

New Physicians

Opening of Wake RadiologyOncology Services

Nearly four de-cades ago, WakeRadiology startedwith a single radi-ologist working inan office in Ra-leigh. Since then,Wake Radiologyhas grown into a re-gional practiceextending into fivecounties with more

than 30 radiologists working at seven officesand five hospitals. During that time, Wake Ra-diology has remained committed to providingthe highest quality radiology service to deliversuperior patient care to the Triangle commu-nity. Achievement of these goals has requiredmeticulous attention to detail and an uncom-promising commitment of resources.

To provide convenient access to ourradiological services, a network of offices hasbeen established in the Triangle region. Fiveoffices are located in Raleigh, Cary, Garner,and Chapel Hill. With the exception of theGarner office, these facilities offer fluoroscopy,ultrasound, CT, mammography, and nuclearmedicine. Our facilities in North Hills andWest Raleigh also offer bone densitometry. Inthe fall of 1998, a sixth office will be openedin northwest Raleigh. Our MR facility(Raleigh MRI Center) is conveniently openseven days a week, including evening hours.This allows for the scheduling of most MRexaminations within 48 hours of receiving theexam request.

There are several components of a superior ra-diology exam, including high quality images,accurate interpretation of the images, andtimely delivery of the reports. Wake Radiol-ogy is committed to continual upgrading ofequipment and the acquisition of the latesttechnological advances. In addition to provid-ing improved image quality and the resultingincreased diagnostic accuracy, superior tech-

nology often allows for shorter exam times,which increase patients’ comfort. A prime ex-ample is the Raleigh MRI office where a 1.5Tesla Siemens Vision scanner with state-of-the-art hardware and software hassignificantly improved image quality andgreatly expanded the application of MR to thechest, abdomen and pelvis. The MR facilitywas also one of the first outpatient facilitiesin the United States to install a MR-compat-ible integrated contrast injector. Theultrasound machines in our offices are all pro-duced by Acuson and certified by the ACR(American College of Radiology) and mostare equipped with color doppler which facili-tates the detection and evaluation of vascularanatomy and vascular-related disease entities.The CT scanner at the new Cary office uti-lizes helical scanning technique which canimprove lesion detection, shorten patienttime on the scanning table, optimize contrastenhancement, and reduce the volume of in-travascular contrast material administered.Other recent additions to our technologic ar-mamentarium include Lunar DEXA scannersfor performing rapid and accurate bone den-sity measurements, and upgrading our nuclearcameras with SPECT, which allows for moreprecise three-dimensional localization of theradiopharmaceutical in the body. The mam-mography machines are both ACR and FDAcertified.

Optimal utilization of the advanced imagingequipment requires highly trainedtechnologists. Our subspecialty-trainedtechnologists are certified by their respectiveorganizations—sonographers by theAmerican Registry of Diagnostic MedicalSonographers; nuclear medicine technologistsby the Nuclear Medicine TechnologyCertification Board; and the MR, CT andmammography technologists by the AmericanRegistry of Radiologic Technologists. Periodicin-service lectures and presentations providecontinuing education of the office staff.

WAKE RADIOLOGY’S COMMITMENTTO EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE

David Ling, M.D.

(continued on Page 2)

FALL 1998

Inside:

The total cost of a radiology procedurecannot be measured in the charges alone—it’s added value that counts! And value iscomprised of both cost and quality. Gettingthe most information with the rightexamination, performed right the first timeon the right equipment ultimately savestime and money and reduces patient painand inconvenience—in short, value.Consider the following scenarios:

Patient A receives an MRI study at anotherimaging center. The neurosurgeon feelsthat the study is technically sub-optimal,but insurance will not cover a repeat studyat one of Wake Radiology’s state-of-the-artMRI facilities. The patient is then sent toWake Medical Center for a myelogram andpost myelogram CT, requiring post-procedure observation—lost value in extracosts.

An orthopedist consults with WakeRadiology’s Dr. Charles Pope regardingPatient B’s shoulder complaints. Dr. Popeperforms a shoulder ultrasound anddiagnoses a rotator cuff tear. This saves apossible MRI and/or shoulder arthrogram—added value in reducing diagnostic cost.

Patient C goes to Wake Medical Centerwith acute abdominal symptoms.Appropriate abdominal CT is quicklyperformed because one of Wake Radiology’sradiologists is available in-house 24 hours

ADDED VALUE: IT’S BOTH QUALITY AND COST

Recognizing the increasing complexity ofthe field of radiology, Wake Radiology iscommitted to subspecialty-trainedradiologists. More than two-thirds of our30 radiologists have subspecialty training,and their expertise helps to keep thepractice aware of all the latest advances indiagnostic imaging. For example, our MRfacility, under the direction of Dr. GlennCoates, is one of only four sites in thiscountry selected by Siemens MedicalSystems to develop and test new MR-scanning protocols. Through the increasinguse of electronic transmission of images,subspecialty expertise will become morereadily available for consultation at all ofthe offices. Eventually the digital imagesfrom a MR exam will be available for reviewby the requesting physician on a computernetwork connection within an hour aftercompletion of the study.

Any patient who comes to a Wake Radiol-ogy office can expect a courteous andcareful exam. Patient surveys are conductedand reviewed quarterly at all of the officesand the quality of the staff is reflected inthe high marks they consistently receiveon these surveys. Patient safety has alwaysbeen a high priority. For any examinationthat requires intravascular contrast admin-istration, Wake Radiology exclusively usesnon-ionic iodinated contrast material. Ouroffice staff receive CPR training and in-struction in the OSHA regulations. Theimaging machines are regularly inspectedby a medical physicist. Mammography pa-tients are entered into a computer-trackingprogram and patients are notified if theyhave missed a scheduled follow-up exam.Both our technology and our technologistshave been approved by the American Col-lege of Radiology and the Food and DrugAdministration.

Wake Radiology continues to grow for thefuture and is committed to increasing themedical resources available to the citizensof the Triangle and surroundingcommunities. In addition to the newlyexpanded Cary office, a state-of-the-artradiation oncology center was recentlyopened in Cary. This facility will operatein collaboration with the Department ofRadiation Oncology at the University ofNorth Carolina. In addition, a northwestRaleigh office will open in December 1998.For more information about WakeRadiology, visit our web site atwww.wakerad.com.

a day each and every day. Similarly, RaleighMRI is open nights and weekends—addedvalue in accessibility.

Patient D has an abdominal aorticaneurysm. Instead of invasive angiography,the patient receives a custom-tailored MRangiogram performed by Dr. Glenn Coatesat Raleigh MRI, using dynamic Gadoliniumcontrast injection with timed, single-breath-hold imaging. The MR angiogramelegantly depicts the vascular anatomy forpre-surgical assessment—all performed inone hour on an outpatient basis—addedvalue in technical expertise.

Patient E is being treated for breast cancerat the new Wake Radiology DiagnosticImaging and Oncology Services Center inCary. Her diagnostic CT examinationperformed in this office is also used forthree-dimensional treatment planning.The radiation oncologist discusses the casedirectly with the diagnostic radiologist—added value in integrated patient care.

These examples show that a decrease in thecost of a radiological procedure does notmean that quality or value has to besacrificed. It’s possible to provide patientswith quality diagnostic imaging that istimely and cost-effective, as well asaccurate. Wake Radiology has always beencommitted to providing quality care at allof our offices.

Wake Radiology Diagnostic Imaging,Inc., Carolina Breast Cancer DetectionCenter, Inc., Raleigh MRI and VillageRadiology currently contract with thefollowing Managed Care Organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield—all plans CIGNA Healthcare of N.C., Inc. CIGNA Healthcare PPN/PPO & PPN/PCS (formerly Healthsource Provident) Doctors Health Plan Generations Healthsource North Carolina, Inc. HealthStar Jefferson Pilot PPO MedCost Medicare Medicaid

Through North Carolina MedPartnersManagement (NCMM) (formerlyCardinal IPA, Piedmont IPA, and NCMA): Aetna/US Healthcare CIGNA Healthcare Doctor’s Health Plan Kaiser Maxicare WellPath

MANAGED CARE UPDATE

COMMITMENT(continued from Page 1)

William T. Djang, M.D.

Wake Radiology Oncology Servicescurrently contracts with the followingManaged Care Organizations: CIGNA Healthcare of N.C., Inc. CIGNA Healthcare PPN/PPO & PPN/PCS (formerly Healthsource Provident) Doctors Health Plan Healthsource North Carolina, Inc. Generations Jefferson Pilot PPO MedCost Medicare Medicaid NCMM

Wake Radiology continues to align itsmanaged care contracts with those of itsreferring practices. If there are additionalmanaged care organizations that we shouldconsider, please contact Michele Jacksonat 854-4588 Ext. 115.

2

Wake Radiology is pleased to announce theaddition of three new physicians to thepractice. They are Jerry W. Burke, M.D.,Gordon R. Randall, M.D. and Carroll C.Overton, M.D.

Dr. Burke received his M.D. from theUniversity of North Carolina School ofMedicine and served his surgicalinternship, surgical residency anddiagnostic radiology residency at theUniversity of Virginia Medical School inCharlottesville, VA. Dr. Burke completeda magnetic resonance imaging fellowshipat Huntington Medical Research Institutein Pasadena, CA and a neurologyfellowship at Bowman Gray School ofMedicine in Winston-Salem. Dr. Burke isa member of the Radiological Society ofNorth America and the American Collegeof Radiology.

WAKE RADIOLOGY PARTICIPATES IN SECOND ANNUALBREAST CANCER GOLF FESTIVAL

THREE NEW PHYSICIANS JOIN WAKE RADIOLOGY

Dr. Randall is a graduate of the Universityof Tennessee College of Medicine. Hecompleted a medicine internship at theUniversity of Tennessee Hospital inMemphis, TN and diagnostic radiologyresidency at Duke University MedicalCenter. Dr. Randall is a member of theRadiological Society of North Americanand the American College of Radiology.

Dr. Overton graduated from the Universityof North Carolina School of Medicine. Hecompleted a surgical internship, surgicalresidency and diagnostic radiologyresidency at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburghin PA. He also completed a diagnosticradiology residency at the University ofPittsburgh and an interventional radiologyfellowship at Alexandria Hospital inVirginia. Dr. Overton is a member of theVascular Interventional Society.

The Triangle Medical Managers’

Association recently named

Wake Radiology’s Administrator,

Bill Johnson, Administrator of

the Month in the TriMed News.

Described as the “proverbial fixture

when it comes to practice

managers in the Triangle area,”

Bill joined Wake Radiology in 1978.

Secretary of State Jan Dempster, golfers Brady Strickland,Woody “Voice of the Tarheels” Durham, and Elaine Marshall

prepare to putt for prizes at the Wake Radiology-sponsored hole.

BILL JOHNSONNAMED ADMINISTRATOR

OF THE MONTH

Jerry W. Burke, M.D. Carroll C. Overton, M.D.

3

Wake Radiology’s John Sierra, M.D., enjoysthe pre-banquet reception at Pine Needles

Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines.

The 2nd Annual Blue Cross/BlueShield Breast Cancer Festival ofGolf, held on May 29 at PineNeedles Lodge and Golf Club inSouthern Pines, raised more than$90,000 for breast cancer educationand research in North Carolina.

Wake Radiology co-sponsored theevent reception and two golf holeswith Pinehurst Radiology Consult-ants. Wake Radiology’s Ceily Davis,Kathy Hurry, Michele Jackson andMedical Marketing Management’sPenny Smith and Amy Barefoot,along with employees fromPinehurst Radiology staffed two golfholes located on the Pine Needles and Mid Pines golf courses.Prizes, including golf umbrellas, were given to golfers hitting in-side a circle drawn around the hole. Information aboutmammography and Wake Radiology’s new oncology center wereavailable at each golf hole.

Approximately 200 golfers attended this year’s festival which wassold out months before the tournament. Wake Radiology’s man-aging partner, Dr. Robert Schaaf, says, “It’s very rewarding for us

to see the increase in participantsand the amount of money raised thisyear for such an important cause. Weare very pleased that we are able tocontinue our community support forbreast cancer education and re-search, and we are looking forwardto participating again next year.”

The event will be held every yearleading up to 2001, when the LPGAreturns to Pine Needles Resort. Inaddition to Blue Cross/Blue Shield,W a k eRadiol -ogy andPinehurst

Radiology Consultants, other sponsorsincluded Glaxo Wellcome Inc.,CP&L, First Citizens Bank, 360 Com-munications, BellSouth, Nortel,Sprint, BB&T, Duke Energy, IBM andMidway Airlines.

Festivities, visiting physicians and legislators,business dignitaries, television cameras, andfamilies and friends of Wake Radiology staffmarked the opening of the new state-of-the-art Wake Radiology Radiation Oncologycenter in Cary the first week in August.

The 16,000-square-foot facility combinesboth the new Cary office of Wake RadiologyDiagnostic Imaging as well as WakeRadiology Oncology Services, the area’s firstcomprehensive cancer-treatment centerindependent from a hospital.

Managing Partner Dr. Robert E. Schaaf,Radiation Oncology specialists Dr. Joel E.Tepper, Dr. Jay A. Clark and physicist PerHalvorsen of UNC Hospital, greeted visitorsover a three-day time frame. On the firstevening, United States Senator LauchFaircloth cut the official ribbon for thefacility, with the help of officials from theCary Chamber of Commerce andaccompanied by Cary mayor Koka Booth.

SCANNINGS is aquarterly publication of

Wake Radiology,Village Radiology,

Wake Radiology OncologyServices, and Raleigh MRI

MEDICAL EDITORDavid Ling, M.D.

WAKE RADIOLOGYMANAGING PARTNERRobert E. Schaaf, M.D.

WAKE RADIOLOGYADMINISTRATOR

William H. Johnson

DIGNITARIES, PHYSICIANS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE OPENINGOF WAKE RADIOLOGY ONCOLOGY SERVICES

U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth cuts the ribbon to open the Wake Radiology Oncology Services facility.

Siemens’ David Nierle talks withDr. Glenn Coates, director of MRI.

WakeMed President and CEORaymond L. Champ

talks with Dr. Joel Tepper.

Faircloth also unveiled the new BreastCancer stamp for the visitors and media.

More guests visited the center on Thursdaynight. Friday evening was reserved for visitsby WakeRadiologyemployeesand theirfamilies.

“This is therealizationof manymonths ofp lanningand hard work by many people in thepractice,” said Dr. Schaaf. “We are verypleased with the new center and veryoptimistic about its future.”

Patient service began in the diagnosticimaging office on June 1, and in radiationoncology soon thereafter.

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