Radiology Forums

exnoctem · Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Connecticut

im having a slight pickle here... In all of my schooling it was beat into my head that physicians and physicians only can order X ray examinations. Now we all know in practicality, triage nurses for instance will order X rays but that legally its supposed to be a physician.

As a matter of fact, even on my boards and board reviews i had a question that literally was "who can order X rays?" and the answer was a doctor( in the corectec review i did, it even noted that for instance triage nurses will do it but arent supposed to legally).

Now in the mobile job i have, we were also specifically told that our reqs had to be signed by doctors or else the insurance wouldnt cover the exams. Now ive had a rash of APRN's ordering X rays and they tend to get very offended when i explain the situation to them. Ive even been told "i can prescribe medication, which means i can order X rays", to which i never quite understood that logic. Just today alone i had two APRn's pick fights over this, when all im trying to do is what my Job entails and what ive been told through my schooling is the right and legal way.

So the question i ask is, where can i find the answer to this in black and white? Google searches have been useless, and i havent been able to find anything on the ARRT or the NCRP websites(not that its not there, maybe i just cant find it?). The only thing i did find was a proposed bill in georgia that would allow a doctor to delegate the power to an APRN in an emergency situation to order radiologic procedures(http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hb935.htm).

i really would like to know, and if anyone could help it would be appreciated!

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

State medical board, state nursing board.

CMS (Medicare) recognizes that any Licensed Independent Provider can order diagnostic imaging studies, and as far as I know, the states follow suit.

LIPs are ONLY - MD's, DO's, APRNs (Advanced Nurse Practicioner), and PA's.

hjh, RT