Guyana to benefit from expert radiologists

An International Division of the Teleradiology Firm, USARAD, has signed a major contract for the exclusive reading of ultrasounds in Guyana.
The company, known as WorldRad, inked the deal with Guyana’s Imaging Providers (GIP), and is now the first American Teleradiology firm to help fill a medical services gap in a developing country. GIP Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomas Eversley said that WorldRad was selected as the exclusive provider of 24/7 teleradiology services for the local firm.
According to Eversley, the international division of the highly competitive U.S. teleradiology company will provide assistance to cover the radiology’s general and obstetrician ultrasound services, filling an important need in the country.
“Ultrasound is widely used modality in many nations with limited healthcare technology and other resources such as Guyana,” Eversley said.
The CEO added that the need for qualified radiologists who can read a large volume of varied ultrasound images in Guyana is great due to the current shortage of qualified radiologists.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of both internet-based teleradiology companies, Dr Michael Yuz said the agreement will play a crucial role in bringing a higher quality of care to an underserved population in a country that suffers from a shortage of qualified radiologists.
Dr Yuz explained that there is a tremendous need in Guyana for a model of how teleradiology services can benefit patients and practice in areas facing a shortage of medical imaging services.
To deliver its services, images are stored and accessed by PACS (a picture archiving and communication system), medical imaging technology on a secured USARAD cloud, and enabling streamlined, flexible connectivity from any location. WorldRad promises to offer the site the services of a full range of sub-specialty radiologists as the needs of Guyana’s imaging expand while maintaining the same business practice that has brought USARAD its high degree of success in the U.S., Dr Yuz stressed.
“WorldRad is committed to delivering fast service, with STAT studies within an average of 15 to 20 minutes and routine cases within several hours.”
The company will also be available to provide consultation and second opinion on exams which are read in Guyana. All examinations from Guyana will be read by U.S. board-certified radiologists located within the United States to ensure high-quality reading. WorldRad is headed by the same management and utilises the same radiology-on-demand platform as USARAD. “WorldRad is committed to providing services at reasonable fees to address the needs of the local marketplace… We are extremely excited about the new relationship in Guyana,” Dr Yuz noted.
He explained that as the sophistication of medical services offered in the country grows, so will the need for more qualified radiologists, and WorldRad is perfectly positioned to meet that need.
WorldRad was launched in October 2011 and provides services across the globe from Europe and Asia to the Middle East, South America and more. It fills a vital need in underdeveloped countries where trained physicians are at a premium as well as in other locations experiencing a similar radiology shortage seen in the U.S. a decade ago.
“In some countries, the average report turn around time when using local radiologists is not minutes but weeks. American radiologists are highly trained and well-regarded throughout the world,” Dr Yuz said. He pointed out that WorldRad can significantly enhance the speed and quality of care in many locations, and is already doing so in Russia, the Middle East and Latin American. USARAD is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and is one of the fastest growing teleradiology groups in the country. The company provides 24/7/365 service in all 50 states for imaging centres, hospitals and mobile imaging providers.