Anesthesia and radiology remain challenging areas for many hospital systems. As healthcare advisors with decades of experience, our Zephyr Healthcare Advisors team has worked with hospitals across the country to rethink traditional anesthesia and radiology provider models, finding innovative ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain quality patient care.
Anesthesia Optimization with CRNAs
Anesthesia coverage needs vary widely based on facility size, scope of services, and patient acuity. Yet, many hospitals overlook a valuable resource: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
Why CRNAs Make Sense:
- CRNAs can cover 33% to 100% of anesthesia cases, depending on the setting.
- Some rural hospitals rely entirely on CRNAs, especially for lower-acuity services like gastroenterology (GI) and obstetrics (OB).
- CRNAs are well-suited for high-volume, lower-acuity environments, allowing anesthesiologists to focus on more complex cases.
Real-World Impact:
In a recent client engagement, we helped restructure the anesthesia workforce to include CRNAs alongside anesthesiologists. This simple shift led to $1.6 million in annual savings by replacing 6 FTEs, saving approximately $260,000 per FTE. The hospital maintained quality while significantly reducing labor costs.
Modernizing Radiology Coverage
Radiology faces similar challenges, compounded by nationwide shortages and high turnover. Traditional in-house diagnostic radiology models are increasingly unsustainable. One alternative is to increase daytime telehealth coverage while maintaining core on-site staff.
Why This Approach Works:
- Builds on the well-established NightHawk model—remote reading of imaging at night, which many hospitals have trusted for years.
- Reduces reliance on costly locum tenens.
- Improves flexibility without sacrificing diagnostic quality.
We’ve partnered with hospitals to implement a blended model that balances telehealth with on-site coverage, addressing both manpower challenges and cost containment.
Financial Sustainability Through Innovation
With ongoing shortages of both anesthesiologists and radiologists, hospitals are finding fewer viable options for replacing existing groups. Instead, many are collaborating creatively to maintain quality while reducing costs.
- Blended Staffing Models (CRNAs and MDs): Improve coverage without overextending budgets.
- Management Service Organizations (MSOs): Increase provider productivity and quality of patient care.
- Telehealth Integration: Supports continuity of care and efficient resource use.
- AI-Driven Platforms: Enhance revenue cycle management and reduce administrative burdens.
By thinking outside the box, hospitals can move away from rigid staffing models and embrace solutions that improve both clinical and financial performance.
The Takeaway
Reimagining the traditional anesthesia and radiology provider models is essential to maintaining high standards of care while controlling costs. Whether through CRNA integration or telehealth expansion, hospitals that are willing to innovate will be better positioned to meet evolving healthcare demands and realize significant cost savings.