News | Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
At ACC.26, sessions in the GE HealthCare Learning Lab highlighted both the promise and complexity of shared cardiac PET imaging programs, as healthcare systems increasingly look to maximize resources while expanding advanced diagnostic services.
In sessions about the operational and technical considerations of implementing shared cardiac services, Jaime Warren, EdD, MBA, BHS, CNMT, NCT, vice president of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom, and April Mann, MBA, CNMT, NCT, RT(N), MASNC, FSNMMI-TS, cardiology KOL stakeholder engagement lead-PDx, outlined how shared cardiac PET is far more than simply adding a new test to existing service offerings. Instead, it requires integrating two traditionally separate departments – cardiology and radiology – into a single, coordinated model, often centered around one scanner serving multiple patient populations.
“The biggest challenges aren’t clinical – they’re operational,” Warren emphasized, pointing to differences in workflow, urgency and decision-making structures between the two specialties. From scheduling conflicts to patient preparation and reporting workflows, most issues fall into four key areas: people, processes, technology and governance.
Clear ownership and early alignment are critical. Without defined leadership – often a clinical dyad between cardiology and radiology – programs risk operational gridlock. Even seemingly small questions, such as who communicates prep instructions to patients or where studies are read and reported, can become major friction points if not addressed upfront.
Consistency also emerged as a central theme. Variability in protocols, software or imaging techniques can lead to inconsistent results, particularly as programs scale. “Protocol drift is the enemy of scale,” Jaime noted, stressing the importance of standardized workflows, training and quality assurance to ensure reproducible outcomes across teams and sites.
In a complementary session, “Implementing Shared Cardiac PET Services: Building a Sustainable Business Case,” Nicole F. Knight, LPN, CPC, CCS-P, executive vice president of Revenue Cycle Solutions and Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom, focused on the financial realities underpinning these programs. With PET/CT reimbursement remaining volatile and influenced by evolving payer policies, success depends on strong financial planning and ongoing oversight.
Key drivers include clear governance structures, physician adoption, cost discipline and payer strategy. “You need alignment not just clinically but also financially,” Knight said, highlighting the importance of involving revenue cycle, billing and compliance teams early in the process.
Reimbursement challenges, particularly prior authorization delays and variations across commercial and Medicare Advantage plans, can significantly impact access and revenue. Accurate documentation and ongoing reconciliation were identified as essential tools to reduce denials and ensure appropriate payment.
Knight also stressed the importance of understanding true costs, from radiopharmaceuticals to staffing and equipment utilization. Shared models introduce added complexity in allocating expenses and revenue between departments, making transparency and regular financial audits critical.
Both sessions reinforced a common message: while shared cardiac PET programs offer a pathway to more efficient, patient-centered care, their success depends on careful planning, cross-department collaboration and disciplined execution.
As healthcare systems continue shifting toward outpatient care and resource optimization, shared imaging models are likely to expand, but only those built on strong operational and financial foundations will be positioned to succeed.
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