Focusing on Clear Communication
Lakshmi Ananthakrishnan, MD, was on the task force that responded to the ICM shortage at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Ananthakrishnan, the institution’s medical director of computed tomography and an associate professor of radiology, authored a special report in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging on managing the shortage.
According to Dr. Ananthakrishnan, it may be necessary to influence the behavior of ordering providers. Transparency is key, she said.
“During the contrast shortage, our task force held a town hall for ordering providers to explain the facts,” she said. “We told them how many days of iodinated contrast we had on hand, and that we didn’t know when we were getting more. If we didn’t change how we were using this product, we could run out. We then gave them the autonomy to triage their patients’ imaging needs. They were very responsive.”
According to Andrew J. Plodkowski, MD, director of general radiology at MSKCC, it’s also crucial to explain to patients how a shortage may affect them.
“We worked closely with our communications department to ensure our patient announcements were clear and concise,” Dr. Plodkowski said.
Planning Ahead
Although the contrast shortage is starting to improve, it’s clear that more shortages will occur in the near future, according to Andrew Bierhals, MD, MPH, vice chair of quality and safety and a professor of radiology, medicine, and pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis.
“We have to be proactive and nimble,” Dr. Bierhals said. “In this time of supply chain issues, it is important for all of us to have the ability to work with multiple vendors.”
In addition, he said, “having predetermined teams that can come together rapidly to discuss and develop workflows for supply chain issues is essential. These teams should consist of supply chain experts as well as representatives from various medical specialties, pharmacy, infection prevention and the hospital administration. This way, teams can work in collaboration to adjust workflows across the hospital or hospital system to minimize the impact to patient care.”
For More Information
Access the Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging special report, “What the Baby Formula and Medical Contrast Material Shortages Have in Common: Insights and Recommendations for Managing the Iodinated Contrast Media Shortage.”
Access the Radiology special report, “Short-, Mid-, and Long-Term Strategies to Manage the Shortage of Iohexol.”
Read previous RSNA News stories on supply chain challenges:
Watch the RSNA Online Learning Center on-demand webinar, “Strategies to Manage the Shortage of Iohexol.”
