CDC considers allowing NP/PAs to read complex x-rays: Pulmonologist explains the dangers
Episode description
Pulmonologist / Intensivist Gary Dudek, MD, joins me to discuss the CDC's call for comments regarding allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to become National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 'B Readers'.
B-Readers are highly trained radiologists (medical school graduates with at least five years of residency as well as additional training in this particular type of x-ray) that read and interpret annual screening chest x-rays done on coal, silica, and asbestos workers to look for early signs of a lung condition called pneumoconiosis.
According to radiologists, these x-rays are notoriously difficult to read, and a misread can be a matter of life or death. Dr. Dudek discusses why allowing NPPs to read these x-rays is the wrong decision.
Comment by March 17, 2025: https://www.regulations.gov/document/CDC-2024-0103-0001