Frequently Asked Questions

Shield Diagnostic Support Services provides turnkey diagnostic imaging support for healthcare organizations, government programs, occupational health providers, and other organizations needing flexible imaging capacity.

Our services include adult echocardiography, vascular ultrasound, general ultrasound, ECG/EKG services, mobile imaging clinics, screening programs, and imaging backlog support.

Depending on the program, Shield can provide experienced clinical staff, diagnostic equipment, secure image transmission, physician interpretation, and reporting.

Shield is based in Virginia and supports clients throughout Virginia and surrounding states, with the ability to support regional and multi-state programs based on project size, scheduling, and clinical requirements.

For larger programs or multi-day deployments, contact us to discuss your location and coverage needs.

Yes. Shield can provide experienced, credentialed sonographers along with professional diagnostic imaging equipment and the supporting technology required to perform the requested studies.

We provide a complete turnkey solution to support your organization's needs.

Yes. Many of our programs are designed to operate within a client's existing clinic, physician office, healthcare facility, or other approved location.

We work with your team to determine space, workflow, scheduling, equipment, connectivity, and reporting requirements before services begin.

Shield Diagnostic Support Services is a woman-owned business. We are committed to providing responsive, professional diagnostic support while building long-term partnerships with healthcare organizations, government programs, and community partners.

Yes. Shield Diagnostic Support Services maintains an active SAM.gov registration, allowing us to pursue and support eligible federal contracting opportunities.

Shield provides adult transthoracic echocardiography, including comprehensive 2D imaging, Doppler, and color-flow evaluation as required by the ordered examination.

Specific protocols can be coordinated with the client and interpreting physician to meet program requirements.

Shield provides a range of non-invasive vascular studies, including carotid duplex, upper and lower extremity venous studies, upper and lower extremity arterial studies, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and ankle-brachial index testing.

Available studies may be customized according to the needs of the program or facility.

No. Shield currently focuses on adult echocardiography and does not provide pediatric echocardiography.

No. Shield currently provides resting adult transthoracic echocardiography and does not perform stress echocardiography.

Shield can develop customized screening programs that may include adult echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound, ABI testing, aorta, bladder, carotid, female pelvic, scrotal, thyroid ultrasound and ECG/EKG services.

Screening programs can be designed for employers, first responders, government agencies, veteran programs, occupational health organizations, and other groups with defined screening needs.

Yes. Customization is one of Shield's core strengths. We can build a clinic around your patient volume, examination requirements, location, schedule, reporting needs, and operational workflow.

Programs may range from a single-day clinic to recurring or multi-day deployments.

All exams are interpreted by qualified, board-certified physicians with appropriate credentials and state licensure for the location and type of service being provided.

Shield coordinates the imaging and interpretation process so clients can receive a streamlined solution from examination through final report.

Our standard goal is to provide final reports within 24 business hours of completed imaging and successful transmission of the study.

Turnaround requirements can also be customized for larger programs, screening events, or contracted projects.

When clinically necessary, communication with the interpreting physician can be coordinated through Shield's reporting process.

For urgent or significant findings, Shield follows the communication procedures established for the specific client or program.

Yes. Depending on the program and reporting configuration, authorized users can be provided secure electronic access to completed images and reports.

Access is configured based on the client's workflow, security requirements, and applicable privacy requirements.

Reports can be delivered electronically through secure, HIPAA-compliant methods established for the client. We work with each organization to determine the most appropriate reporting workflow.

Yes. When physician interpretation is provided through Shield, the interpreting physician is appropriately licensed for the state in which the patient examination is performed.

Yes. Backlog reduction is one of Shield's primary service solutions. We can provide additional sonographers, equipment, and reporting support to help facilities address accumulated studies without requiring permanent staffing increases.

A multi-day deployment places Shield personnel and equipment at your location for multiple consecutive days to complete a defined volume of examinations.

This model can be particularly effective for backlogs, concentrated patient populations, screening programs, government projects, and locations where recurring weekly coverage is not necessary.

Yes. Depending on the program, Shield can establish imaging services at an approved satellite, clinic, occupational health, government, or other appropriate location.

We evaluate each location in advance to ensure it can safely and effectively support the requested diagnostic services.

Generally, no clinical imaging staff are required from the client when Shield is providing a turnkey program. Shield can provide the sonographer, equipment, and imaging workflow.

Depending on the project, the client may assist with patient scheduling, registration, medical orders, or on-site coordination.

Yes. Shield can work alongside your existing imaging team while providing our own equipment and diagnostic services.

We coordinate with your department to integrate into your established clinical workflow and provide additional imaging capacity for periods of high demand, backlogs, special projects, or scheduled clinics.

Advance scheduling is preferred, particularly for larger clinics and multi-day deployments. However, we understand that imaging needs can develop quickly and will make every effort to accommodate shorter-notice requests when personnel and equipment are available.

Yes. Supporting veterans is an important part of Shield's mission. We are equipped to provide diagnostic services for organizations and contractors supporting veteran healthcare programs, subject to the requirements of each contract or program.

Yes. Shield can provide diagnostic imaging support in correctional and other secure environments when appropriate security, credentialing, and operational requirements can be met.

These environments may require additional coordination, access procedures, and security protocols.

Yes. Shield can pursue and support diagnostic imaging opportunities involving military treatment facilities and other federal healthcare environments when required contracting, credentialing, security, and facility requirements are satisfied.

Yes. Shield is positioned to work with government agencies, government contractors, and organizations supporting veteran healthcare.

Programs can be structured around specific contractual requirements, patient volumes, locations, and diagnostic services.

Yes. Shield has experience with imaging programs designed to support firefighter and first responder health initiatives.

We can develop screening clinics incorporating appropriate ultrasound, cardiovascular, vascular, and other diagnostic services based on the requirements of the organization and its medical program.

Yes. Shield works to meet applicable contractual, credentialing, privacy, security, clinical, and facility requirements associated with each government program.

Because requirements vary by agency and contract, we review the specific scope before deployment and build the program around those requirements.

Yes. Shield Diagnostic Support Services maintains policies, procedures, and secure technology designed to comply with applicable HIPAA privacy and security requirements.

Patient information is handled through secure workflows, with access limited to authorized individuals involved in patient care and permitted operations.

Patient information is handled through secure systems and workflows designed to protect protected health information. Access is limited to authorized individuals involved in patient care, operations, or other permitted functions.

Yes. Shield utilizes experienced diagnostic professionals with credentials appropriate to the examinations they perform.

Our clinical team includes sonographers with extensive experience in adult echocardiography, vascular ultrasound, general ultrasound, and high-volume diagnostic imaging environments.

Yes. Shield's diagnostic equipment is maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and applicable quality standards.

We also establish standardized imaging protocols and quality-control procedures to promote consistent, diagnostic-quality examinations.

Diagnostic images and associated patient information are transmitted and managed through secure systems designed for healthcare data.

Access controls, secure transmission methods, and appropriate safeguards are used to protect patient information throughout the imaging and reporting process.