How Era Locums helped one CAH maintain Radiology coverage during a transition

For the more than 60 million Americans who live in rural areas, access to healthcare is dwindling at a startling pace. The Commonwealth Fund projects that by 2037, the current supply of primary care physicians in rural areas will meet only 68% of demand. In fact, nearly all (92%) of rural counties in the U.S. are considered health professional shortage areas (Commonwealth Fund). And yet, these communities depend on their local critical access hospitals (CAHs) to provide essential services, from emergency care to diagnostic imaging.

When a rural CAH in the Northeast faced a sudden gap in radiology coverage, the stakes could not have been higher. This is the story of how they found a solution, and what other CAHs can learn from their experience.

A chance encounter, then a crisis

The CAH first connected with Era, a locum tenens staffing partner, through the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). The two teams met in person at an NRHA conference, where they discussed the hospital's operations and identified a potential future need for temporary clinical coverage. At the time, nothing was urgent. But that conversation planted a seed.

Weeks later, that seed became a lifeline

The hospital found itself in the middle of a transition between radiology groups. They needed to onboard a new group while simultaneously transitioning the existing one out. In that narrow gap between two contracts, they could not afford any disruption to imaging services.

Without coverage, the hospital risked delays in patient care, increased patient transfers to distant facilities, and a direct loss of imaging-related revenue. Perhaps most critically, the operational strain would ripple across the entire facility, pulling staff away from other duties and increasing the risk of burnout in an already stretched workforce.

The approach: clear, urgent, and direct

When the need became urgent, the CAH reached back out to Era directly. The conversation was straightforward: they needed reliable, immediate radiology coverage to bridge the transition period. No complicated negotiations. No long lead times. Just a clear problem and a tight timeline.

Speed, quality, and coordination

Era prioritized the request immediately. Within a short timeframe, they sourced multiple board-certified radiologists with extensive locum experience. These were clinicians who could step in with minimal orientation and hit the ground running. Era coordinated closely with the hospital's leadership to ensure a smooth onboarding process, from credentialing to workflow integration.

The result? Uninterrupted radiology services throughout the entire transition.

The hospital was able to take the time it needed to properly vet and onboard its new permanent radiology group without rushing decisions, without delaying patient scans, and without losing a dollar of imaging revenue. Patient care never missed a beat.

What the providers said

Feedback from both the providers and the hospital was overwhelmingly positive. The radiologists noted strong alignment on communication, workflow, and overall cultural fit. Fit is a critical factor in rural settings where every team member wears multiple hats and trust is paramount.

Advice for other critical access hospitals

Dylan, a recruiter at Era who specializes in rural healthcare staffing, was at the frontlines of this transition. When asked what advice he would offer other CAHs in similar situations, Dylan emphasized two things:

First, build relationships early. "You don't want to be searching for a trusted partner in the middle of a crisis," Dylan explains. The connection between this CAH and Era began well before the radiology gap appeared thanks to a chance meeting at an NRHA conference. That advanced relationship, Dylan notes, made all the difference when time became critical.

Second, recognize that transitions between provider groups are inherently complex. Even the smoothest onboarding process takes time. "Having reliable interim coverage allows facilities to make thoughtful, long-term decisions without compromising patient care or operations," Dylan says. "It turns a vulnerability into a strength."

The bigger picture

This single CAH's experience reflects a national reality. In 2021, 90% of rural counties had at least one Rural Health Clinic (RHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), reflecting the heavy reliance of rural areas on external support (Commonwealth Fund). The same Commonwealth Fund report notes that 43 million people live in rural primary care health professional shortage areas. 

Radiology is no exception. When a rural hospital loses imaging capacity, temporarily or not, patients face delayed diagnoses and wait times. Other members of a patient’s care team also experience a downstream impact of delays, threatening both patient outcomes and a CAH’s bottom line. 

The importance of a responsive partner

This CAH's story is not unique, but it is instructive. With advance relationship-building, clear communication, and a responsive locum partner, a potentially disruptive transition became a strategic victory. The hospital preserved its revenue, protected its patients, and gave its permanent team the breathing room to make the right long-term hire.

For other rural CAHs navigating provider transitions, the lesson is simple: don't wait for the gap to open before you find a bridge. Reach out to Era Locums today.