The Value of Clinical Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology (IR) is a vital component of diagnostic imaging (DI). The Society of Interventional Radiology has long held that the practice of IR should be clinical in nature, with dedicated clinical time, space, and infrastructure. The ACR has recognized the necessity of the clinical practice of IR. The cost to DI groups and hospitals of providing clinical IR is substantial. A willingness to invest in the creation or maintenance of a clinical IR service should be based on the value such an investment may provide. The author presents a 2-fold assessment of the value of IR. A review of the intangible value of IR to DI groups and facilities follows the presentation of an algorithm that ascribes a tangible, financial value to the provision of clinical IR services. The author provides an example of this algorithm applied to a mature, clinical IR practice. The author's assertion is that this value is compelling justification to warrant support of clinical IR. Additionally, the author's hope is that the utilization of this algorithm may allow DI groups to determine the financial value of clinical IR in their own settings.