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Paris, TX — For over a decade, Red River Valley Radiology Associates, a long-standing provider of diagnostic imaging in Northeast Texas, faced a familiar challenge for rural healthcare providers: recruiting and retaining radiologists. But with the adoption of Tether Supervision’s virtual contrast coverage platform, the practice not only solved its staffing problem, it improved imaging access, increased safety and operational efficiency, and delivered a better quality of life for its team.
The Rural Challenge
“We serve small towns and rural communities,” said Dr. Stephanie Spann, one of Red River’s lead radiologists and a third-generation leader of the family-owned practice. “When we couldn’t find coverage, it meant real delays for patients.”
With a small population base and no urban relocation draw, Red River struggled to fill supervisory and diagnostic roles for years. National radiologist shortages only compounded the issue. For procedures involving IV contrast, a radiologist was historically expected to be on-site to supervise in case of a reaction. Without a supervising physician available physically at their center, sometimes as far as three hours away for radiologists at Red River, these procedures simply couldn’t be performed. Dr. Spann recalled the pressure during unexpected gaps in coverage:
“We’d be frantically saying, ‘Oh my goodness, we’ve got 50 contrast patients today—how are we going to cover them?’ It was unsustainable,” said Dr. Spann.
The operational toll was immense: delays, rescheduled patients, and strain on existing team members. Traditional recruitment efforts fell short, and onsite coverage often came at the expense of reading studies and personal well-being for the group’s physicians, particularly Dr. Spann, who served as the group’s backstop.
The Virtual Supervision Solution
While Medicare and many commercial payers have allowed virtual supervision since the 2020 public health emergency, most imaging centers weren’t equipped, or ready, to make the leap. Tether Supervision, a turnkey solution for real-time, remote contrast supervision, helped Red River bridge that gap.
In October 2024, Red River partnered with Tether to supplement its on-site supervision with real-time, HIPAA-compliant virtual coverage. The shift transformed not only daily operations, but also physician work-life balance. With secure infrastructure, credentialed radiologists, and standardized protocols, Red River fully operationalized virtual supervision in a way that was safe, compliant, and built to scale.
“I used to spend multiple nights away from my kids just to keep contrast studies moving,” said Dr. Spann. “Since we started using Tether, I haven’t spent a single night in a hotel. It’s allowed me to be a radiologist, a business owner, and a mom, all at the same time.”
Tether Supervision delivered a clear and effective solution: enabling radiologists to provide supervision remotely without compromising safety or compliance. Key elements included:
- Real-time Audio-Video: A custom built platform for contrast supervision, enabling Radiologists to receive alerts and supervise contrast procedures remotely using secure, two-way audio-video communication.
- Tether Mobile Contrast Units (MCUs): Plug-and-play supervision workstations with high-definition cameras, emergency alert and incident protocols, and key contrast management medications.
- On-Site Training and Support: Hands-on technologist training that covers contrast reaction management, escalation protocols, and workflow integration to ensure staff feel confident and prepared.
- Access to Supervising Physician Support: In addition to supporting Red River’s on-site team, Tether provides remote radiologists from its network to ensure consistent coverage and safety when local staffing is limited.
Outcomes That Matter
The impact of virtual supervision at Red River Valley Radiology Associates was immediate and far-reaching, touching patients, physicians, and on-site technologists, nurses, and administrators:
- Expanded Rural Patient Access: Remote supervision increased availability, and timely access to contrast-enhanced procedure, reducing delays for rural patients who depend on timely imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Improved Recruitment: Tether enabled Red River to recruit radiologists without requiring them to relocate or travel, opening up a significantly larger pool of candidates. For the first time in over a decade, Red River successfully recruited a new radiologist, with another joining soon, thanks to the flexibility of remote supervision.
- Streamlined Operations: Tether eliminated the need for last-minute reschedules and onsite commuting, enabling radiologists to focus on diagnostic reads and clearing backlogs. As Dr. Spann shared:
“It’s business as usual, whether the radiologist is on-site or not.”
- Standardized, High Quality Patient Care: Tether improved on-site emergency confidence with consistent, protocol-driven responses across all locations, reducing variability of patient treatment, enhancing response speed & quality, and ensuring that every patient receives the same high standard of care, regardless of location.
- Better Work-Life Balance: Tether made it possible for Dr. Spann to practice medicine without sacrificing time with her young children.
“You don’t realize how much your life can improve until you make the leap. Tether changed everything for us.”
About Red River Valley Radiology Associates
Founded over 60 years ago by Dr. James L. Clifford, Red River Valley Radiology Associates has long been a pioneer in rural imaging access. Now led by his granddaughter, Dr. Stephanie Spann, the third generation of physician leadership continues to expand the practice’s reach across Northeast Texas while staying true to its founding mission. From introducing the first CT and ultrasound scanners in Paris, TX, to embracing modern innovations like virtual supervision, Red River remains committed to advancing patient care. Their radiologists are board-certified, and technologists are specially trained to deliver accurate, compassionate diagnostics.
To learn more, visit rrvr.net
About Tether Supervision
Tether Supervision enables radiologists to oversee contrast procedures in real time from anywhere. Built around a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, Tether supports imaging centers with virtual supervision, hands-on technologist training, and mobile contrast units equipped with cameras, alert systems, and emergency protocols. By combining technology with physician-developed clinical workflows, Tether helps practices maintain compliance, safeguard patients, and reduce the burden of on-site coverage. Today, Tether supports dozens of imaging centers nationwide, giving organizations a scalable way to expand access to contrast-enhanced imaging while operating more efficiently and confidently.
To learn more, visit tethersupervision.com
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