SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a bold move that demonstrates its unwavering commitment to the radiology community, NightHawk Radiology Services (Nasdaq:NHWK) offers a clear alternative to the growing predatory practices within teleradiology with today's announcement of its "Commitment to the Radiology Community." NightHawk's commitment identifies the conditions, or "Rules of Engagement," that must be satisfied in order to consider doing business directly with hospitals or indirectly by providing services to non-radiologist-owned entities. As the leading provider of teleradiology solutions, NightHawk is bringing a new level of transparency, accountability and leadership to its customers and the marketplace through this public commitment:
NightHawk's Commitment to the Radiology Community
Rules of Engagement
NightHawk provides remote interpretive services directly to Radiology Groups to cooperatively assist them in servicing their Hospital customers. NightHawk will only consider servicing a Hospital directly or indirectly through a non-radiologist-owned entity, such as a Practice Management Organization (PMO), when one of the following conditions applies:
1. A Hospital does not currently have a Radiology Group providing services, and has not had a Radiology Group servicing it for some reasonable period of time.
2. A Hospital is serviced by a Radiology Group, and that Radiology Group invites NightHawk or a PMO to enter into a Hospital service agreement with them.
3. A Hospital initiates an open competition to consider changing the Radiology Group servicing it. NightHawk would then consider supporting a PMO if neither the incumbent Radiology Group nor any competing Radiology Group is a NightHawk customer.
"Over the past year, many teleradiology providers have chosen to take the easy route to revenue, competing with radiology groups and threatening the viability of the traditional radiology group model," explained Dave Engert, NightHawk's president and CEO. "We have heard from the radiology community that there is an opportunity to help radiology groups improve their services to their hospital customers, without being predatory or competing with these groups. We learned a hard lesson last year when we became involved in a process that inadvertently produced a difficult and unfortunate result. Although our contractual involvement was indirect, NightHawk is committed to eliminating the potential for any undesirable outcomes to be repeated in the future."
Engert continued, "We understand the challenges and market forces facing everyone in radiology today. The insights we have gained, along with the relationships we have with many participants in the radiology community, have led us to collaboratively establish a strategy that ensures our resources and goals are aligned with those of our customers. Our 'Commitment to the Radiology Community' encapsulates the true meaning of partnership, and our 'Rules of Engagement' provide clear guidelines and boundaries for ourselves, our partners and our customers that are necessary to deliver on that Commitment."
Dr. Stuart Sorkin, chief executive officer of Medical Radiologists Inc., added, "With the release of its Commitment to the Radiology Community, NightHawk has taken a major step in allaying the concerns of the radiologists. In so doing, it has demonstrated itself to be an organization that supports the success of radiology practices rather than undermine their existence. I strongly commend NightHawk for this action."
Dr. Russ McWey, managing member of Northern Virginia Radiology Consultants, stated "NightHawk is taking the lead in providing a beneficial service to the radiology community by collegially supporting Radiology Groups with its 'Rules of Engagement' and the provision of the highest quality services in the increasingly demanding healthcare environment."
"NightHawk's stated commitment to its customers reflects a keen understanding of the realities of the contemporary radiology practice," explained Greg Kusiak, practice manager Hill Medical Corporation. "This declaration should be well received by the radiology community."
NightHawk's "Commitment to the Radiology Community" comes on the heels of company initiatives that have set a new standard for quality and service in teleradiology. These include the development of the industry's foremost Quality Assurance Program and the establishment of its Customer Advisory Board.
About NightHawk
NightHawk Radiology (Nasdaq:NHWK) is leading the transformation of the practice of radiology by providing high-quality, cost-effective solutions in the U.S. NightHawk provides the most complete suite of solutions, designed to increase efficiencies and improve the quality of patient care and the lives of radiologists. NightHawk's team of U.S. board-certified, state-licensed, and hospital-privileged physicians are located in the United States, Australia, and Switzerland. They provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to approximately 1,600 sites, representing approximately 26 percent of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit http://www.nighthawkrad.net or call 866-400-4295.
The NightHawk Radiology Services logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5531
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