SANTA FE NM (9/29/2021) — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) reached a settlement agreement with Taos Comprehensive Health Corporation Company’s ultiMED facility located at 707 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico for alleged violations of New Mexico’s Radiation Protection Act and Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Health and Safety Act dating back to 2017.

NMED alleged the ultiMED urgent care facility failed to assure that individuals who operate x-ray equipment are adequately instructed in the safe operating procedures and competent in the equipment’s safe use by NMED approved Radiological Technologists. According to New Mexico regulations, radiologic technologists certified by NMED must undergo rigorous training and testing as part of their certification program to perform x-ray procedures. There is no evidence that patient radiation exposure exceeded normal levels during the exams performed.

In May of 2020, NMED issued an administrative order requiring compliance and a civil penalty for continued non-compliance.

“Proper training for individuals administering x-rays is a matter of public trust between medical professionals and the public,” said Deputy Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Roose. “In this instance, the public trust and state laws were broken, which is unacceptable.”

As part of the settlement terms, Taos Comprehensive Health Corporation d/b/a ultiMED, shall comply with the training requirements and pay a civil penalty of $13,500.00 to the State of New Mexico.

Pursuant to state law, the $13,500 penalty is reverted to the State of New Mexico’s general fund and is not kept by NMED. The general fund is the primary state fund from which the ongoing expenses of state government are paid.

The settlement agreement is available HERE – https://www.env.nm.gov/opf/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/09/2021-09-23-RCB-20-22-EPD-RCB-ultiMED-SASFCO-Signed.pdf.

Contact: Kaitlyn O’Brien, Public Relations Specialist New Mexico Environment Department 505.467.9681 | kaitlyn.o’brien@state.nm.us