The value-added services of hospital-based radiology groups.

The authors discuss the ways in which a single, cohesive, on-site radiology group adds value to both the processes of patient care and the success of the hospital. The value-added services fall into 6 categories: (1) patient safety, (2) quality of the images, (3) quality of the interpretations, (4) service to patients and referring physicians, (5) cost containment, and (6) helping build the hospital's business. If the hospital allows its radiology department to become fragmented by the intrusion of other specialists or teleradiology companies in remote locations, most of these added values would be lost, and chaos could ensue.