Vesta Teleradiology

What’s New in Breast Density and Mammography: Fall 2025 Update

Why breast density remains a frontline issue

Breast density continues to be one of the most important—and complex—factors in breast cancer screening. Dense breast tissue not only raises cancer risk but also makes abnormalities harder to detect on mammograms. For hospitals and imaging centers, keeping up with evolving regulations, trial data, and technology is no longer optional. It’s central to compliance, patient communication, and imaging strategy.

FDA updates the national reporting standard

In July 2025, the FDA approved changes to the breast density reporting standard under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). This builds on the September 2024 rule requiring that all mammography reports inform patients whether their breasts are “dense” or “not dense.”

Hospitals should review their reporting templates now. The updated language affects how results must be communicated to both patients and referring clinicians. Staying compliant avoids liability and ensures consistent, patient-friendly communication across facilities.

New trial evidence favors MRI and contrast-enhanced mammography

The interim results of the BRAID trial in the U.K. made headlines this summer. Among women with dense breasts and negative mammograms, supplemental abbreviated MRI and contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) identified significantly more invasive cancers than ultrasound.

MRI and CEM: ~15–19 extra cancers detected per 1,000 women screened
Ultrasound: ~4 extra cancers detected per 1,000

These findings were reported in the OBG Project’s summary of the BRAID interim results.

While recalls and contrast risks remain a concern, the data strengthen the case for offering advanced supplemental imaging in high-density populations. Hospitals may want to begin planning how to integrate MRI or CEM into workflow, or establish referral pathways for patients with very dense breasts.

MBI joins the conversation

Molecular breast imaging (MBI), when paired with digital breast tomosynthesis, is showing early promise in improving invasive cancer detection in women with dense breasts. Findings from the Density MATTERS trial highlight MBI as a potential alternative for hospitals with limited MRI or CEM capacity.

AI-enabled density assessment and multimodal risk stratification

Artificial intelligence tools are advancing rapidly in breast imaging. A recent clinical study demonstrated that multimodal AI systems can reduce recall rates by over 30% while maintaining sensitivity. Other work shows promise in improving density quantification and developing 5-year breast cancer risk models from imaging features.

Hospitals considering AI adoption should focus on how these tools can streamline workflow, support compliance, and reduce unnecessary patient callbacks.

Shifting clinical culture: from notification to action

At the 2025 Society of Breast Imaging annual meeting, a clear theme emerged: simply notifying patients about dense breast status is not enough. The expectation is shifting toward offering supplemental imaging or providing clear, individualized next steps.

Hospitals that rely on tomosynthesis alone may increasingly be asked to justify why they do not offer MRI, CEM, or other supplemental options.

Key takeaways for hospitals and imaging centers

Compliance check: Ensure your reporting language matches the updated FDA standard.
Workflow planning: Prepare for increased demand for supplemental imaging in dense-breast populations.
Technology assessment: Evaluate the role of MRI, CEM, MBI, and AI tools in your facility.
Patient communication: Move beyond dense-breast notification toward structured shared decision-making.
Equity focus: Consider insurance coverage and access barriers that could affect your patient population.

Hospitals that adapt now will not only stay compliant but also lead in patient-centered breast cancer screening strategies.

Vizamyl’s New PET Label: Quantify & Monitor Amyloid—What It Means for Imaging Teams

What changed—and why it matters

The FDA has expanded the label for flutemetamol F 18 (Vizamyl), enabling quantification of amyloid plaque burden and long-term therapy monitoring in Alzheimer’s disease. This shift moves amyloid PET beyond a qualitative “positive/negative” decision toward objective, longitudinal assessment that can inform treatment choice, dose intervals, and discontinuation decisions. Business Wire

Professional groups report the update aligns amyloid PET with the clinical era of disease-modifying anti-amyloid therapies (e.g., lecanemab, donanemab), clarifying roles for baseline confirmation, on-treatment monitoring, and response tracking in routine care. Notably, SNMMI stated the FDA granted supplemental indications—including quantitative measurement and use for therapy monitoring—to three amyloid PET agents (flutemetamol F-18/Vizamyl, florbetapir F-18, and florbetaben F-18). SNMMI

Operational updates for radiology leaders

Protocols & quant pipelines: Build or validate a quant workflow (SUVr or comparable metrics) that’s scanner-calibrated and reproducible across sites. If you operate multi-vendor fleets, document harmonization steps in your SOPs.
Structured reports: Add fields for quantified burden at baseline, change from baseline, and interpretive guidance tied to therapeutic decisions (initiation, continuation, or discontinuation).
Scheduling & throughput: Expect rising referral volume from neurology and geriatrics as therapy monitoring enters routine practice; protect access with extended hours or overflow capacity.
Quality & governance: Define thresholds for biologically meaningful change, reader training for quant review, and reconciliation rules when quant and visual impressions diverge.

For additional context, trade coverage underscores that the updated label formally removes previous limitations around therapy monitoring and permits quant analysis in routine reporting. Empr

How Vesta Teleradiology helps

Vesta’s subspecialty neuro and nuclear medicine radiologists provide:

Amyloid PET expertise: Visual+quant reads with structured templates aligned to your therapy pathway.
Coverage when you need it: After-hours, weekends, or daytime overflow—without sacrificing turnaround time.
Interoperability: Seamless delivery to your PACS/RIS and EMR; clear flags for therapy decisions and recall intervals.
QA you can see: Peer review, consistency checks across readers, and optional double-reads during program ramp-up.

If you’re standing up or scaling amyloid PET services, we can supply immediate subspecialty coverage and templates tuned to your neurologists’ needs.

FDA’s 2025 AI Draft Guidance: A Buyer’s Checklist for Imaging Leaders

In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a draft guidance for AI-enabled medical devices that lays out expectations across the total product life cycle—design, validation, bias mitigation, transparency, documentation, and post-market performance monitoring. For imaging leaders, it’s a clear signal to tighten procurement criteria and operational guardrails before piloting AI in CT, MRI, mammo, ultrasound, or PET.

As teams lock in Q4 budgets and head into RSNA season, the FDA’s AI lifecycle draft (Jan 2025) and the now-final PCCP (Dec 2024) have reset what buyers should expect from AI in imaging—devices, software, and workflows. Vendors are updating claims and governance; this issue distills a practical buyer’s checklist—multisite validation with subgroup results, drift monitoring and version control, clear in-viewer transparency—and how pairing those tools with Vesta’s subspecialty coverage and QA turns promise into measurable gains across CT/MRI/US/mammography.

A practical buyer’s checklist

Use this when evaluating AI for your service lines:

Intended use fit: Verify indications, inputs/outputs, and claims match your pathway and patient mix.
Validation depth: Prefer multisite, diverse datasets; stratified results; pre-specified endpoints; documented data lineage and splits.
Bias mitigation: Demand subgroup performance (sex, age, race/ethnicity when available), scanner/vendor variability analyses, and site-transfer testing.
TPLC plan: Require drift monitoring, retraining triggers, versioning, and how updates are communicated.
Human factors & transparency: Ensure limitations, failure modes, and interpretable outputs are presented in-viewer without slowing reads.
Security & support: Patch cadence, vulnerability disclosure, SOC2/ISO posture, uptime SLAs, and rollback paths for version issues.
Governance: Define metrics owners, review cadence, and thresholds to pause or roll back a model.

Implementation playbook: pilot → scale without disruption

Start with a 60–90 day pilot in one high-impact line (e.g., ED stroke CT or mammography triage) and lock in baselines: median TAT, positive/negative agreement, recall rate, PPV/NPV, and discrepancy rate. Set guardrails—when to auto-triage vs. force human review—and document escalation paths for model failures. Require case-level confidence and structured outputs your radiologists can verify quickly. Stand up a model governance huddle (modality lead, QA, IT security, and your teleradiology partner) that meets biweekly to review drift signals, subgroup performance, and near-misses. Bake in a rollback plan (version pinning) and a quiet-hours change window so updates don’t collide with peak volumes. As results stabilize, scale by cohort (e.g., expand to non-contrast head CT, then CTA) and keep training “micro-bursts” for techs/readers—short videos or checklists in-workflow. Tie vendor SLAs to uptime, support response, and clinical KPIs so the AI program stays accountable to operational value.

Where teleradiology fits

AI only delivers when it’s welded to coverage, quality, and speed. A teleradiology partner should provide:

24/7 subspecialty + surge capacity: Vesta absorbs volume peaks so AI never becomes a bottleneck.
QA you can see: We benchmark pre/post-AI performance, add targeted second looks for edge cases, and feed variance data back to your team.
Standardized outputs: Structured reports that integrate model outputs with radiologist findings—no black-box surprises.
Smooth rollout: Pilot by service line (stroke CT, mammo triage, PE workups), then scale with tracked KPIs (TAT, PPV, recalls).
Interoperability & security: Seamless PACS/RIS/EMR integration with strict access controls, audit trails, and support for change-controlled updates.

Bottom line: Pairing AI with Vesta Teleradiology gives you round-the-clock subspecialty reads, measurable QA, and operational breathing room while you pilot and scale responsibly. If you’re mapping your AI roadmap under the FDA’s 2025 draft guidance, we’ll be your coverage and quality backbone—so your clinicians see faster answers and your patients see safer care. Visit vestarad.com to get started.

Summer 2025 Imaging Roundup: AI, New Modalities & Trends

The summer of 2025 has been packed with advancements in diagnostic imaging, from cutting-edge AI systems improving detection rates to emerging modalities pushing the boundaries of precision and speed. Here’s a look back at the most important developments from June through August that are shaping the future of radiology.

AI Is Reshaping Radiology Workflows

Generative AI Productivity Boost

In June, Northwestern Medicine unveiled a generative AI system capable of reducing radiologist reading time by up to 40% while identifying life-threatening conditions in milliseconds. This tool not only improves workflow efficiency but also offers a potential solution to the ongoing radiologist shortage (Northwestern Medicine).

ProFound AI for Mammography

A peer-reviewed study confirmed that iCAD’s ProFound AI significantly increases cancer detection rates, boosts diagnostic accuracy, and improves workflow for mammography screenings (ITN Online).

Aidoc’s $150M Expansion

July saw AI platform Aidoc raise $150 million in funding, led by NVIDIA and other major investors, aimed at expanding its reach into more hospitals and imaging centers globally (Aidoc).

Emerging Imaging Modalities and Research

Photon-Counting CT and Whole-Body MRI

Photon-counting CT continues to gain attention for its ability to deliver higher resolution at lower doses, while whole-body MRI is increasingly used for cancer staging and early detection in high-risk populations (Radiology Business).

Multimodality Imaging at ACC.25

Cardiologists and radiologists at the ACC.25 conference explored how quantitative CT, functional cardiac MRI, and AI-enhanced echocardiography can bridge the gap between diagnostics and real-time therapy planning (American College of Cardiology).

August: A Month of Imaging Breakthroughs

AI-Native Imaging Viewers

Tech company New Lantern launched AI-native viewer modes for mammography and PET/CT, delivering sub-second load times and workflow automation (TMCNet).

Digital Radiography Gets Smarter

Advances in digital radiography are enhancing precision and speed, with newer systems providing better image quality at lower radiation doses (USA News).

ProCUSNet Ultrasound AI

Researchers at Stanford developed ProCUSNet, an AI tool that improved lesion detection by 44% and caught 82% of clinically significant prostate cancers on ultrasound—outperforming human interpretation (Becker’s Hospital Review).

DiffUS for Intraoperative Imaging

A new AI-based technique called DiffUS can create realistic ultrasound images from 3D MRI data, aiding in surgical planning and intraoperative navigation (arXiv).

Next-Gen PET Tracer

A novel PET tracer, Ga-68 Trivehexin, has shown promise in more accurately detecting breast cancer lesions and fibrotic lung tissue compared to traditional tracers (Journal of Nuclear Medicine).

Looking Ahead

The pace of innovation in diagnostic imaging this summer reinforces a clear trend: AI is no longer just an assistive tool—it’s becoming deeply embedded in clinical workflows. Coupled with emerging modalities like photon-counting CT and new PET tracers, radiology is entering an era of higher precision, speed, and accessibility.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Be Prepared for the Influx of Patients

As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month approaches this September, healthcare providers across the country will see an uptick in patient visits, screenings, and diagnostic imaging requests. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, with the American Cancer Society estimating over 299,000 new cases in the U.S. in 2024 alone. Early detection remains the most effective tool for improving patient outcomes, and advanced imaging—particularly prostate MRI—has become an essential part of that process.

For hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics, this influx of patients means one thing: the demand for timely, accurate imaging reads will rise significantly. Facilities that aren’t fully staffed with subspecialty-trained radiologists may struggle to keep up. That’s where teleradiology solutions play a vital role.

The Growing Role of Imaging in Prostate Cancer Care

In recent years, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) has become a preferred method for detecting and staging prostate cancer. Compared to traditional biopsies alone, MRI provides greater accuracy in identifying clinically significant cancers while reducing unnecessary procedures.

For urologists and oncologists, having access to radiologists who are experienced in prostate MRI interpretation is critical. Accurate reads directly impact treatment planning, guiding whether patients undergo biopsy, surgery, radiation, or active surveillance. Without access to subspecialty-trained radiologists, facilities risk delays and diagnostic errors—two challenges that can have serious consequences for patient care.

Why Facilities Struggle During Awareness Campaigns

Awareness campaigns like Prostate Cancer Awareness Month are crucial for encouraging men to get screened, but they often create short-term spikes in demand for imaging services. Facilities may find themselves in one of several common situations:

Limited staffing: Not every hospital has fellowship-trained genitourinary radiologists available around the clock.
Backlogged imaging reads: A sudden rise in prostate MRI requests can overwhelm even well-staffed radiology departments.
After-hours gaps: Many facilities struggle to cover night and weekend shifts, when urgent cases still require prompt reads.

These challenges can lead to slower turnaround times, delayed treatment decisions, and increased stress on healthcare teams.

How Teleradiology Bridges the Gap

Teleradiology offers a practical and scalable solution to these pressures. At Vesta Teleradiology, our network of subspecialty radiologists is available 24/7/365 to support facilities with prostate MRI interpretation and other critical imaging reads. By partnering with a trusted teleradiology provider, hospitals and clinics can:

Expand subspecialty access: Even if your in-house team lacks fellowship-trained radiologists, you can still deliver high-level care.
Maintain fast turnaround times: Handle spikes in imaging volume without increasing wait times for results.
Ensure accuracy: Reduce diagnostic errors by relying on subspecialists trained in genitourinary imaging.
Stay fully staffed after-hours: Provide continuous coverage during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preparing Now for September

As September approaches, healthcare providers should take proactive steps to ensure they can handle the expected rise in prostate cancer screenings and imaging studies. Partnering with a teleradiology provider like Vesta ensures your team is ready—not only for the annual awareness campaign, but also for ongoing patient needs throughout the year.

Prostate cancer care depends on early, accurate, and timely diagnosis. With more men taking action during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, your facility has an opportunity to make a significant difference in patient outcomes. Don’t let limited staffing or subspecialty gaps slow you down—be prepared with the support of experienced teleradiologists.

Why Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) Is Changing Prostate Cancer Detection

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of new cases diagnosed each year. For decades, detection relied heavily on PSA blood tests and systematic biopsies, both of which have limitations. Biopsies can miss clinically significant cancers or, conversely, identify low-risk cancers that may never cause harm.

Today, a new standard has emerged in prostate cancer detection and management: the multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). This advanced imaging approach is transforming how providers detect, stage, and monitor prostate cancer — and it is driving a growing demand for specialized radiology expertise.

What Is Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)?

Unlike traditional MRI, which produces detailed anatomical images, mpMRI combines several different imaging sequences to create a comprehensive picture of the prostate. These typically include:

T2‑weighted imaging — Shows detailed prostate anatomy and identifies suspicious lesions.
Diffusion‑weighted imaging (DWI) — Detects how water molecules move within tissue, which helps highlight cancerous areas.
Dynamic contrast‑enhanced imaging (DCE) — Tracks blood flow within the prostate, as cancerous tissue often has abnormal vascular patterns.

By integrating these parameters, mpMRI provides a clearer, more accurate view of the prostate and its surrounding structures.

Why mpMRI Is Becoming the Standard of Care

Major clinical guidelines, including those from the
American Urological Association (AUA)
and the
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN),
now recommend mpMRI for men with elevated PSA levels, prior negative biopsies, or suspected prostate cancer.

Advantages of mpMRI

Improved accuracy: mpMRI can better identify clinically significant cancers while reducing overdiagnosis of low‑risk cancers.
Fewer unnecessary biopsies: Patients can often avoid invasive procedures if mpMRI results do not show suspicious lesions.
Better treatment planning: mpMRI helps urologists and oncologists decide whether to recommend surgery, radiation, or active surveillance.
Ongoing monitoring: mpMRI is also valuable in tracking disease progression over time.

The Growing Demand for Subspecialty Reads

As mpMRI use expands, hospitals and imaging centers face a challenge: many general radiologists are not trained in prostate mpMRI interpretation. These studies require subspecialty‑level expertise in genitourinary imaging to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Common Pressure Points for Facilities

Longer turnaround times for mpMRI results
Increased risk of missed or mischaracterized cancers
Strain on radiology teams during peak demand (e.g., Prostate Cancer Awareness Month)

How Teleradiology Helps Providers Offer mpMRI

This is where teleradiology solutions come in. At Vesta Teleradiology, our network of subspecialty‑trained radiologists includes experts in genitourinary imaging, ensuring that your patients receive accurate, high‑quality prostate mpMRI interpretations.

What Facilities Gain with Vesta

Expanded access to subspecialty reads without needing in‑house GU radiologists
Capacity to handle volume surges during awareness campaigns and screening pushes
Faster turnaround times for both routine and urgent cases
Improved patient safety and outcomes through accurate and consistent reporting

Staying Ahead of the Curve

As prostate cancer screening practices evolve, mpMRI is no longer “nice to have” — it’s quickly becoming an essential diagnostic tool. Facilities that adapt now by ensuring access to subspecialty radiology support will be best positioned to deliver timely, accurate, and patient‑centered care.

If your team is preparing for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month or simply looking to expand imaging capabilities, partnering with Vesta ensures you have the expertise to interpret even the most advanced imaging studies.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – teleradiology support for prostate MRI reads

AI-Enabled Ultrasound: Transforming Imaging at the Point of Care

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, ultrasound is increasingly recognized not just for prenatal or cardiac assessment, but as a versatile diagnostic tool across specialties. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating ultrasound’s impact — reducing operator dependency, improving diagnostic confidence, and enabling faster bedside care. For imaging leaders, especially in rural or underserved settings, AI-powered ultrasound technology paired with teleradiology support offers a compelling path for enhanced access and precision.

Innovations in AI-Ultrasound You Should Know

FDA Clearance for AI Thyroid Ultrasound
In 2024, See-Mode Technologies received FDA clearance for an AI-powered thyroid ultrasound system that can detect and classify nodules using the ACR TI-RADS scale. It has shown promising results in standardizing reporting and reducing unnecessary biopsies and follow-ups.
Source: https://www.auntminnie.com
Projected Market Growth
The global AI ultrasound market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% through 2029. This rapid growth is fueled by the rising burden of chronic disease, limited radiologist availability, and the push for faster, more accessible diagnostics.

Source: https://www.pharmiweb.com/
Rural Potential with Point-of-Care AI
A JAMA Cardiology viewpoint outlines how AI-assisted point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can enable more accurate cardiovascular assessments even when performed by generalists—especially valuable in remote areas without imaging specialists.
Source: https://jamanetwork.com
Clinician Enthusiasm and Challenges
The COMPASS-AI global survey found that 81% of clinicians support AI-assisted ultrasound, citing improved diagnostic utility and speed. However, top concerns include training, clinical validation, and workflow integration.

Source: https://theultrasoundjournal.springeropen.com/

Why It Matters for Facilities and Radiology Teams

Reduces staffing burden: AI ultrasound reduces variability among operators, ideal for high-turnover or remote settings.
Speeds up decision-making: Frontline providers can quickly gather meaningful imaging data, while teleradiologists handle the interpretation.
Expands imaging reach: Portable, AI-powered ultrasound extends diagnostic capabilities to underserved regions.
Supports standardization: AI helps standardize image acquisition and reporting, improving overall workflow efficiency.

How Vesta Teleradiology Enhances AI-Ultrasound Value

While AI augments imaging workflows, expert interpretation is still essential. Vesta provides:

Subspecialty reads across thyroid, vascular, MSK, and more
24/7 coverage with fast turnaround times
Seamless PACS/RIS integration for AI-acquired ultrasound data

Our radiologists help bridge the gap between frontline imaging and specialist analysis—ensuring that every AI-enabled ultrasound scan contributes to timely, confident patient care.

Bringing AI and Teleradiology Together

Whether you’re running a rural health center, a large outpatient clinic, or an emergency department, AI ultrasound paired with expert teleradiology interpretation helps:

Increase imaging access without compromising accuracy
Alleviate staffing constraints
Deliver faster diagnoses
Improve patient outcomes

AI in ultrasound is not replacing radiologists — it’s helping them focus on what matters most. With Vesta’s support, healthcare organizations can embrace innovation while maintaining high-quality, consistent imaging interpretation.

Photon-Counting CT: What Healthcare Facilities Need to Know Now

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in diagnostic imaging technology in recent years. Offering greater spatial resolution, reduced radiation dose, and improved tissue characterization, PCCT is quickly gaining attention from radiologists, imaging directors, and healthcare systems looking to stay ahead.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, staying informed about how new imaging technologies integrate with workflows and diagnostic goals is critical. Here’s what facilities need to know now about photon-counting CT—and how teleradiology can help maximize its impact.

What Is Photon-Counting CT?

Unlike conventional CT, which measures the total X-ray energy reaching the detector, photon-counting CT counts individual photons and measures their energy levels. This allows for:

Sharper images with better spatial resolution
Lower noise, especially in soft tissue
Multi-energy imaging from a single scan
Reduced radiation exposure

Siemens Healthineers introduced the first FDA-approved photon-counting CT system (NAEOTOM Alpha) in 2021, and adoption has slowly grown among academic and high-volume centers.

Clinical Benefits of PCCT

Photon-counting CT provides enhanced detail for a range of applications, including:

Cardiac imaging: Better visualization of stents and plaques
Pulmonary imaging: Improved nodule detection and perfusion data
Neuroimaging: Greater contrast at lower doses for brain scans
MSK imaging: Superior resolution for joint, bone, and soft tissue analysis

The ability to perform multi-energy imaging without dual-source CT equipment allows radiologists to generate virtual non-contrast images, improve lesion characterization, and reduce contrast agent use—benefiting both patients and providers.

Growing Market and Adoption

While still early in widespread adoption, the global photon-counting CT market is projected to grow rapidly. According to a recent report from Research and Markets, the global PCCT market is expected to reach over $800 million by 2030, driven by increasing demand for advanced diagnostic tools and a growing focus on radiation dose reduction.

As more vendors develop photon-counting detectors and more clinical use cases are validated, experts anticipate broader adoption beyond academic centers and into regional hospitals and imaging centers.

Source: Research and Markets, “Photon Counting CT Market – Forecast 2030”

How Teleradiology Supports Advanced CT Adoption

Deploying a photon-counting CT system requires more than just the hardware. Facilities must ensure they have access to radiologists who are:

Trained in multi-energy CT interpretation
Familiar with new artifact patterns and reconstructions
Able to optimize clinical workflows using new scan data types

That’s where teleradiology plays a critical role.

At Vesta Teleradiology, our radiologists stay at the forefront of imaging advances. With experience in multi-energy and advanced CT post-processing, we help facilities take full advantage of what photon-counting CT offers—delivering fast, accurate interpretations backed by subspecialty insight.

Integration and Workflow Considerations

Facilities considering photon-counting CT should think about:

PACS/RIS compatibility with new data formats
Training staff to understand and use spectral data
Building protocols for when and how to use PCCT scans
Collaborating with teleradiology teams for consistent interpretations

While the learning curve is real, the payoff is significant. Early adopters report better diagnostic confidence, fewer repeat scans, and more comprehensive patient evaluations.

Conclusion: Prepare for the Future of CT Imaging

Photon-counting CT represents the next leap in diagnostic precision. As this technology becomes more accessible, imaging leaders must evaluate how it fits into their long-term strategy. For facilities looking to stay competitive, offer premium diagnostics, and improve patient care, PCCT should be on the radar now—not later.

Partnering with a forward-thinking teleradiology provider like Vesta ensures you’re equipped with the expertise to unlock its full potential.

Celebrating National Health Center Week: The Frontline of Community Care

Every August, National Health Center Week (August 3-9 2025) recognizes the critical role community health centers play in delivering affordable, high-quality healthcare across the United States. These centers serve more than 30 million patients annually, many of whom live in medically underserved or rural regions. But as demand for comprehensive care grows, so does the need for accessible diagnostic imaging—an area where teleradiology is helping bridge the gap.

The Imaging Gap in Rural and Underserved Areas

Access to diagnostic imaging remains a persistent challenge for many community health centers. Facilities in rural or low-resource areas often face:

Limited access to on-site radiologists
Delays in turnaround times for imaging reads
Difficulty recruiting or retaining subspecialty radiologists
Rising imaging volumes due to expanded preventive care

These barriers can compromise patient outcomes, especially in time-sensitive cases involving stroke, cancer screening, or trauma. Imaging is a critical step in diagnosis—and delays in radiology reports can delay treatment.

Teleradiology: A Scalable Solution for Imaging Access

Teleradiology enables healthcare facilities to send medical images (like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and mammograms) electronically to off-site, board-certified radiologists for interpretation. For community health centers, this technology is transformative.

Here’s how teleradiology supports health centers during National Health Center Week and year-round:

24/7 Coverage, Including Nights and Holidays
Teleradiology ensures that community health centers can offer imaging services around the clock—even if there’s no radiologist physically on-site. This is especially important for urgent care and emergency settings in rural hospitals.
Access to Subspecialty Reads
Facilities may not always have access to neuroradiologists, MSK radiologists, or breast imaging specialists. Vesta Teleradiology offers access to subspecialty reads, ensuring every case is interpreted by the right expert.
Faster Turnaround Times
With cloud-based image transfer and structured reporting, teleradiology reduces delays and improves turnaround times. That means faster results, quicker clinical decisions, and better patient care.
Support for Preventive Imaging Initiatives
Community health centers are expanding their use of imaging for preventive care—particularly for breast cancer screening, lung health, and cardiovascular risk. Teleradiology provides scalable support during screening campaigns or high-volume periods.
Cost-Effective Radiology Staffing
Teleradiology helps optimize budgets by supplementing in-house radiologists or replacing expensive on-call coverage. Flexible pricing models ensure services align with facility needs and patient volume.

Why Imaging Access Matters More Than Ever

The need for diagnostic imaging continues to rise in 2025. According to recent projections from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, demand for imaging will grow at a faster rate than the radiologist workforce through 2055. In rural and medically underserved areas, the shortage is even more pronounced.

Community health centers are on the front lines of closing this gap. But without reliable imaging access, they face limitations in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning.

How Vesta Teleradiology Helps Health Centers Thrive

At Vesta, we understand the pressures community health centers face. That’s why we offer:

Fully customizable radiology services tailored to your patient population
Rapid onboarding and seamless PACS integration
Weekend, holiday, and night coverage
A team of U.S.-based, board-certified radiologists
Subspecialty interpretations across all major imaging fields

Whether you’re a rural clinic needing full radiology coverage or a mid-sized health center looking for overflow support, our teleradiology solutions are built to help you scale—without compromising care quality.

Join the Movement: National Health Center Week

National Health Center Week is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder that access, equity, and quality care start with supporting the providers who serve our most vulnerable populations. Teleradiology is a powerful tool to help meet that mission.

If your health center is planning to expand imaging services or looking for reliable radiology coverage, Vesta is here to help.

Let’s build healthier communities—one accurate read at a time.

CMS Extends Virtual Supervision for Contrast Imaging: What It Means for Teleradiology

Virtual Supervision Extended Through 2025

As part of the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended its allowance for virtual direct supervision of diagnostic procedures — including contrast-enhanced imaging — through December 31, 2025. This ruling allows supervising physicians to continue overseeing imaging procedures remotely, via real-time audio/video technology, rather than being physically present during the exam.

The change, originally introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency, was designed to provide greater flexibility to healthcare providers. With this extension, CMS aims to continue improving access in rural or understaffed locations while maintaining safety protocols. According to CMS, this flexibility can be used “without compromising the quality or safety of care when proper protocols are in place” (source).

What Does Virtual Supervision Mean for Imaging?

For diagnostic imaging studies involving contrast — such as CT with iodinated contrast or MRI with gadolinium — CMS requires direct supervision. Under this temporary policy extension, “direct” means the supervising physician must be immediately available via real-time audio/video, not necessarily physically present.

This is a major shift from pre-pandemic policies, which required on-site supervision. In practical terms, this allows radiologists or other supervising physicians to remain at a central or remote location while technologists administer contrast, as long as they can respond instantly if needed.

Teleradiology and Rural Hospitals Stand to Benefit

One of the most impacted beneficiaries of this rule is the teleradiology sector, along with rural hospitals and outpatient imaging centers.

Hospitals without full-time radiologists on-site can now safely administer contrast-enhanced studies without needing to delay or cancel appointments due to a lack of available in-person supervision. According to a report from the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), this flexibility is not only helping providers maintain operations, but it’s also helping prevent service interruptions in areas with chronic staffing shortages (source).

By enabling radiologists to supervise multiple sites virtually, healthcare systems gain efficiency without compromising safety or quality. This is especially important as radiology continues to face a projected workforce shortfall of over 20,000 radiologists by 2034, according to the AAMC.

Compliance Still Matters

Though the rule allows remote supervision, the responsibility remains high. Providers must ensure that:

A two-way real-time communication system is in place (e.g., secure video or telehealth platforms)
Supervising physicians are credentialed, available, and familiar with the facility’s protocols
Documentation clearly identifies who provided supervision and how

The American College of Radiology (ACR) cautions that facilities using virtual supervision must maintain complete compliance records and be ready to demonstrate their supervision protocols during audits (source).

Long-Term Outlook: Will It Become Permanent?

While this extension is only valid through the end of 2025, many in the radiology community hope it will lead to a permanent rule change. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote workflows and proved that many diagnostic services can be safely and efficiently supervised remotely.

Organizations like RBMA and ACR are actively advocating for CMS to consider making virtual supervision a lasting policy, especially given the geographic gaps in radiology coverage and the increasing demand for contrast-enhanced imaging services.

Conclusion

CMS’s decision to extend virtual supervision through 2025 reflects a shifting healthcare landscape that values flexibility, access, and efficiency. For imaging departments, this offers an opportunity to streamline workflows, improve scheduling, and extend radiologist coverage across multiple sites — all without compromising patient safety.

As the radiology community continues to push for broader policy modernization, facilities that adapt now will be better positioned to thrive in the hybrid care models of the future.