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Josh-nice article for sure. we did something similar at my former facility. We cross-trained RT's to help with a bunch of things that were typically nursing responsibilities (lab collection, RSV testing, strep testing, etc.). This both kept our Rt's a little busier during the slow periods and switched some of the work off of nursing as well.
These were free standing ED's if I recall the original article, so the patients are either treat-and-street, or transported to other facilities where they (hopefully) will still receive excellnt RT care. Only time will tell how bad this decision was.

Out of CA$H - the facilities make decisions - they are not always the correct one's - perhaps the person making those decisions will wish otherwise in not long. I'm sure some form of RT will remain on staff - there are just to many wigets and do-dads for them to manage them all. It will also be interesting to see who and what takes over the scope of practice of the RT. It will also be interesting to see what the scope of care of the Hospital becomes with out the RT. Who does the BiPAP? Who orders the parts? Who knows what the heck they are? Leave it to the 'vendor' to decide? the contractor who perhaps takes over? There 'seems to be more to this 'lay - off'' and retrain than meets the eye.. are the workers "Union" ? Does that play a role in the hospital management? For 'one center' of the thousands of hospital across the nation - to take this course - something has happen. What's the catalyst to this?

Josh- I wish more of our colleagues shared your insight! Our presence in ACO's or whatever form healthcare morphs into will be determined by what we have to offer that is unique and indespensible.
I see our greatest value in our discernment and assessment skills, an ability to modify and recommend treatment, proactively intervene, improve outcomes, contain costs, and to be resources for best practice, as opposed to the outdated model of filling orders, mindlessly writing down numbers, and running from one task to the next. Many of us will need to "grow and adapt" to be able to perform at the higher level the new paradigm implies.

http://mydigimag.rrd.com/display_article.php?id=1530522&id_issue=178789
This is a great article explaining the need for RTs to grow and adapt. I think this would be a great option for the hospital in KY to implement.

Its sad that the medical community will sacrifice quality healthcare to save a few bucks. This is very unfortunate. I hope for the patients who need our expertise the hospital will reconsider their coarse and right their sails.