One of the primary drivers of teleradiology is the "Nighthawk" service model. Historically, hospitals struggled to provide on-site radiology coverage during overnight hours or holidays. Teleradiology solves this by utilizing the "follow the sun" approach.

When an ER doctor in New York orders a Stat CT scan at 3:00 AM, the image is transmitted to a board-certified radiologist working during daylight hours in Australia or Europe. This ensures that critical results—such as a brain bleed or an appendicitis—are reported within 20 to 30 minutes. This model significantly reduces "physician burnout" for local radiologists while ensuring that emergency patients receive the same level of care regardless of the time of day.