Member Input Sought by Feb. 3 Regarding CDC-NIOSH B Reader RFI

Note: The ACR position is that nonphysician members of the healthcare team should not be involved in the interpretation of an imaging examination. Details about ACR’s related positions are provided in the ACR Digest of Council Actions.

ACR first reported Dec. 19, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) seeks information regarding whether to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to take the NIOSH B Reader examination to become certified B readers. NIOSH does not propose changes at this time but seeks information gathered through stakeholders responses to seven questions.

ACR member feedback is critical. The College will develop and submit comments incorporating this input. Feedback is particularly needed from certified B readers, previously certified B readers, or physicians intending to become certified B readers to help inform ACR’s substantive responses to the questions. ACR requests feedback by Feb. 3:

• B reader certification status and location of practice.
• Average number of cases/workload impressions and trends.
• Remoting/teleradiology systems employed in the practice for expanding access.
• Additional pathologies observed during classifications and related processes.
• Feedback on the NIOSH RFI questions and relevant perceptions of the program.

Provide input to Michael Peters, ACR Senior Director, Government Affairs. To provide public comments directly to NIOSH, carefully review the agency’s questions and provide feedback online.

Information about NIOSH’s program is available on the agency’s website. ACR’s information on its B Reader course/exam is available here.