About 80% of full-time radiologists at the VA Washington DC Healthcare System resigned over six months, contributing to delays in radiology studies and two service disruptions, according to an Aug. 5 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
The facility lost all radiologists who interpreted body MRIs in July 2025, resulting in curtailed body MRI services. A radiologist shortage also contributed to a backlog of CT studies. Facility leaders used community care, recruitment efforts and radiologists from other VA facilities to address the disruptions and reported that the CT backlog had been eliminated by Jan. 28.
The inspector general also found facility leaders did not notify quality management or locally track incomplete radiology studies as required. After reviewing six patient cases, the inspector general raised concerns about delayed studies and results with facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network leaders, who were unaware of the cases and their potential clinical effects. A subsequent facility review found no actual patient harm.
The facility later reviewed 2,734 radiology records and found that 352, or 13%, had delayed interpretations, meaning they were not read within seven days. The facility said all identified cases had appropriate clinical follow-up when indicated.
The inspector general issued three recommendations addressing radiology workforce sustainability, patient safety assessments and reporting of actual or potential harm from incomplete studies.
Becker’s reached out to VA Washington DC Healthcare System for comment and will update the story if a response is received.
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