Tufts Medical Center and Shields Health Care Group Expand Partnership to Include MRI Services
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018
QUINCY — Shields Health Care Group announced Tuesday that their MRI services partnership with Tufts Medical Center has been approved by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and is set to begin implementation immediately.
The new joint venture provides patients with high-quality, fully-integrated imaging at two community locations in Dorchester and Dedham, in addition to the Medical Center’s flagship campus in Boston. All three locations will be managed by Shields, making this a “first of its kind” relationship between a Boston academic medical center and Shields Health Care Group.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Tufts Medical Center to provide superior imaging services for patients,” said Tom Shields, President and CEO of Shields Health Care Group. Shields and Tufts Medical Center first partnered together for PET/CT services in 2010. “In this ever-changing and challenging health care climate, we must work together to find creative ways to improve access to top-notch medical care. Our collaboration with Tufts maximizes the efficiencies from the Shields network and combines it with the expertise of the Tufts clinical providers, delivering a service that includes the most advanced imaging equipment and services at an affordable price.”
The MRI services at Tufts MC will remain licensed by Tufts Medical Center, while the two community sites at 161 Granite Avenue in Dorchester and 40 Allied Drive in Dedham, will remain licensed by Shields. All three sites will be connected by internet technology systems, which will allow for integration of imaging orders and results into each patient’s electronic medical record.
“Over the past six years, Shields has done an outstanding job of managing our PET/CT service at the Medical Center, which has received ‘exceptional’ ratings from our patients,” said Terry Hudson-Jinks, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services. “This joint venture will allow our patients to choose from three convenient locations to have their MRI. Providing this service in the community also lowers the overall cost of imaging to the health care system.”
About Shields Health Care Group
A family-owned and -operated business, Shields Health Care Group provides MRI, PET/CT, Radiation Oncology and Ambulatory Surgical Center services at more than 30 locations across New England. Through joint-venture partnerships with as many as 20 top hospitals and healthcare providers, Shields delivers cutting-edge technology, provider expertise and affordability while prioritizing the patient experience above all. Additionally, Shields ProCare offers medical imaging equipment maintenance and service throughout New England. Every Shields center is ACR accredited.
About Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children
Tufts Medical Center is an exceptional, not-for-profit, 415 bed academic medical center that is home to both a full service hospital for adults and Floating Hospital for Children. Conveniently located in downtown Boston, we’re the principle teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. We offer a level one trauma center with a rooftop helipad, are the largest heart transplant center in New England and our renowned research program ranks among the top 10 percent of independent hospitals to receive federal research funding. Our physician network of 1,800 New England Quality Care Alliance doctors represents our strong commitment to health in the community. Tufts Medical Center is a founding member of Wellforce. More at www.TuftsMedicalCenter.org.