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NIOSH Certified B-Reader Services

Offer Invaluable and Informed B-Reader Expertise

Premier offers a highly regarded team of B-readers in their expansive network. All our B-readers are diagnostic radiologists certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). They have undergone rigorous oral and written examinations to classify x-rays and diagnose illnesses relating to pneumoconiosis (AKA occupational disease), asbestos, or silica exposure.

B-readers often classify chest radiographs for certain federal surveillance projectssuch as the NIOSH Coal Workers’ X-ray Surveillance Program, the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program, and industry-sponsored medical screening programs. An increase in pneumoconiosis testing has led to more and more diagnoses of occupational lung diseases. Despite the increasing demand, B-readers remain a rare entity throughout radiology as a whole. Through a partnership with Premier, your business will be able to offer invaluable and informed B-reader expertise.

Highly-Trained, Certified Physicians – Our team is standing by to serve your needs.

Rare and In Demand – Partner with Premier to offer invaluable expertise to your patients.

Specialized Services –  Offer more to your patients while lowering your overhead. Getting started is a seamless, stress-free process!

Kenneth Fortgang M.D., Premier Radiology Management

Dr. Kenneth C. Fortgang

With over 25 years of experience in the diagnostic radiology field, Dr. Fortgang is uniquely qualified to give an expert report on all injury-related matters. He previously practiced as a partner in a level-one and level-two trauma center. He is skilled in differentiating chronic conditions from acute injuries that may require more rapid management. In an age of injury report, Dr. Fortgang carefully reviews the MRI, CT, and X-ray reports, as well as the actual study images. He then narrows down the time of injury to a specific time frame and concludes whether the findings described are related or unrelated to the date of the injury.

In his practice in legal review work, he has worked with some of the top-ranked law firms in Florida. His testimony has never been challenged or disqualified, and his testimony and opinions meet the Daubert criteria for peer review and generally accepted concepts. His experience in trauma radiology and his literature reviews are published in widely read and acclaimed radiology textbooks. Dr. Fortgang’s work remains throughout later editions and reprints of said textbooks, as his expertise stands the test of time. Dr. Kenneth C. Fortgang is board-certified in diagnostic radiology by the American Board of Radiology. In 1979. he received his M.D. at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. He completed his internship and residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Southern California Medical Center, where he also became chief resident for the Department of Radiology. Dr. Fortgang has also completed a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, focusing on CT/US body imaging and an emphasis on musculoskeletal imaging. Dr. Kenneth C. Fortgang specializes in expert testimony, including case reviews, film interpretation, conferences, depositions, and expert witness work for insurance companies and attorneys.

Bridge Your Coverage Gaps

Contact Premier today to bridge your coverage gaps and provide better patient care at your business. It’s easy to get started! What are you waiting for? 

  • The B-reader’s primary commitment is to serve the welfare and best interests of patients, workers, and society by striving to classify chest radiographs as accurately as possible.
  • B-readers shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest and objective in all professional interactions, and strive to report individuals or enterprises that they know to be deficient in character or competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.
  • B-readers shall recognize the limitations of chest radiograph classifications, and shall not make a clinical diagnosis about pneumoconiosis based on chest radiograph classification alone.
  • When a contemporary chest radiograph is classified, the B-reader shall either take responsibility for assuring (to the extent feasible) that the examined individual is promptly notified of all clinically important findings, or must be assured that another appropriate party is taking that responsibility.
  • B-readers shall respect the law, the rights of patients, other health professionals, and clients, and shall safeguard medical information and other confidences within the constraints of the law.
  • B-readers shall continue to study and apply advances or changes to the International Labour Office International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses as specified by the NIOSH B-reader Program.
  • In providing expert medical testimony, B-readers shall ensure that the testimony provided is unbiased, medically and scientifically correct, and clinically accurate.
  • B-readers shall recognize and disclose any conflicts of interest in the outcome of a chest radiograph classification. B-readers shall not accept compensation that is contingent upon the findings of their chest radiograph classifications or the outcome of compensation proceedings or litigation for which they undertake readings.
  • B-readers shall not advertise or publicize themselves through any medium or forum of public communication in an untruthful, misleading, or deceptive manner.
  • B-readers shall promptly report to the NIOSH B-reader Program any revocation or suspension of a medical license, voluntary relinquishment of a medical license or conversion to inactive status, or the voluntary surrender of a medical license while under investigation.