FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- William Smits, MD is an allergist and pulmonologist who also knows a lot about imaging equipment. His small practice has its own imaging center with a dedicated chest X-ray, and reburbished CT scanner and dexiscan. It was his experience installing equipment in his own practice that motivated Dr. Smits to create a sideline that helps other physicians doing the same. That company is called Turnkey Radiology.

"We had a bad experience. We bought our CAT scanner and paid too much for it and we had to integrate it ourselves," he reflected about his efforts to equip his practice. "So I said not only could this be a better experience but there's enough profit margin in it."

Turnkey Radiology teams with a nearby builder that specializes in medical practices. Customers around the country include from-the-ground-up imaging centers or clinicians with free-standing buildings who need to add a room with equipment. "We are able to provide the entire package. We try to make it easy. Most vendors just sell the equipment. What we do is sell it as a package and integrate it, ideally to their own EMR."

It took a year to iron out the imaging center in his own practice, Allergy Asthma Center, but through Turnkey Radiology, Smits can orchestrate installation of a complete imaging center for customers in 30 to 60 days.

Of course being a physician and his customers' colleague doesn't hurt. "Doctors usually seem very happy to talk to another physician who's already doing it successfully. It's not theoretical and I can call it like it is."

Smits calls his DOTmed certification "like a personal guarantee." He uses the website to purchase parts and equipment. "Oftentimes on DOTmed things will come up, like tubes that were never used, at a discounted price for a specific CT. You buy them new from people who are moving on to different CT scanners."

He is quick to draw the distinction between used and refurbished equipment. "Used is just that but refurbished is where key components are replaced like the tube or moving parts, whether they're bearings or electrical contact points. They can be refurbished to the extent that they're as good as new," he explains. "I like to use the analogy of a car. You can restore a car to new condition-- that's a restoration. But if you don't do that, it's just a used car."

Call him in the morning.

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