ACR updates contrast guidelines, permitting non-physician providers to supervise administration
The American College of Radiology recently made some significant updates to its imaging contrast guidelines—specifically to who can supervise intravenous contrast administration.
The Aug. 29 statement indicates that non-radiologist physicians, advanced practice providers and registered nurses can now oversee intravenous CT and MRI contrast administration at accredited imaging centers and under the supervision of an on-site radiologist.
In the statement, the ACR acknowledges that “a range of responsible providers trained in and capable of managing an acute hypersensitivity reaction” can monitor contrast administration safely and effectively. The ACR indicates that while a supervising provider or radiologist must not be present in the same room as the procedure, they do need to be immediately available in the event that assistance is needed, such as in the case of adverse reaction.
However, "there should be at least one person who can recognize adverse events related to contrast media administration in attendance (in the room or in an adjacent control room) to observe the patient during and immediately after the injection and summon medical assistance as needed,” the statement reads.
This update is in line with moves made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in recent years that have opened the door for an increased presence of non-physician providers in diagnostic and procedural settings.
Read the ACR’s detailed statement here.
To access the ACR Manual on Contrast Media, click here, and to view the ACR-SPR Practice Parameter for the Use of IV Contrast Media, click here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.