Chiropractor creates MRI referral program in Georgia

February 14, 2012 — Steven Barnett, DC, (Davenport ’79), has initiated a hospital-based MRI referral program with Dekalb Medical Hospital in Decatur, Ga., and Premier Neurosurgical Institute of Marietta. Barnett is the director of chiropractic relations for both institutions.

The program began in 2009 and was so successful he created the Marietta referral program, which launched in 2011. Neurosurgeon Vidyadhar Chitale, MD, FACS, says he values the shared effort that has taken place at the Institute.

According to an article in The Georgia Chiropractor (Winter 2011), “The program has been wildly successful, giving DCs access to a high field magnet, resulting in better diagnoses and treatments for patients.” It also has developed great relationships between the hospital specialty providers and the chiropractors.

“In these days of increased benchmarking, validation and co-management of chiropractic, patients may be critical to reimbursement,” said Barnett.

Barnett is excited about the success of this integrated approach in patient care.

“Our motto is that we work together to make everybody better,” he said. “With our program, no chiropractor ever loses a patient by making an appropriate referral. Since this model is not state-specific, it can be incorporated everywhere. It will open doors for chiropractors to bridge the gap between the medical model and chiropractic.”

To learn more about referring patients for MRIs to Dekalb Medical or Premier Neurosurgical Institute, contact Barnett at 770-355-2997 or buckey440@aol.com.

Read the full article in the Winter 2011 edition of the The Georgia Chiropractor on the Georgia Chiropractic Association site.

Source: Palmer College of Chiropractic, palmer.edu