AHRA 2019, the annual meeting of AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management, begins in just a few short days. It’s time to pack those bags and finalize that schedule!
AHRA 2019 takes place July 21-24 in Denver, Colorado, and it will once again feature informative sessions, a jam-packed exhibition hall and numerous opportunities to network and mingle with industry professionals. As always, there are dozens of sessions to choose from at this year’s conference. These are six that really stood out as I read over the schedule:
1. Fear, Hope, and Hype of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging – Sunday, July 21, at 1 p.m.
Woojin Kim, MD, CMIO of Nuance Communications, will be discussing perhaps the hottest topic in all of radiology: artificial intelligence (AI). Kim’s session will focus on the various narratives associated with AI over the years while also exploring the “reality” of these evolving technologies and how they will impact the delivery of healthcare in the years ahead.
“This presentation will examine the use of AI both within image interpretation as well as beyond and how it can benefit the entire imaging value chain to benefit both medical imaging professionals and our patients,” according to the session summary.
2. Grand Opening Ceremony & Keynote – Monday, July 22, at 9 a.m.
The opening ceremonies at AHRA annual meetings are always fun and entertaining, and I’m sure this year’s will be no exception. Things kick off with announcements and official association business, and then motivational speaker Vince Poscente will hit the stage for his presentation, “Full Speed Ahead.”
Radiology Business coverage of previous opening ceremonies can be read here and here.
3. Regulatory Update – Monday, July 22, at 2:15 p.m.
This informative session is a staple of AHRA’s annual meetings, providing attendees with key updates about a variety of imaging-related policies. Sheila M. Sferrella, MAS, CRA, RT(R), chair of the AHRA’s Regulatory Affairs Committee, and Melody Mulaik, MSHS, vice-chair of the same committee, always do a wonderful job of explaining both the short-term and long-term impact of regulatory changes. There is always time for questions as well, so if you’ve been struggling with a specific issue, this may be your opportunity to speak up and gain some valuable insight.
And if you can’t make it to Monday’s session, you do get one more chance! Sferrella and Mulaik will be presenting the same information again on Tuesday, July 23, at 4:15 p.m.
4. Cardiac Imaging Can Assess Cardiovascular Risk in High Endurance Athletes – Monday, July 22, at 4:15 p.m.
Exercise is important for anyone’s health, but what happens when people push themselves too hard? Holly Knaub, BAS, RT(R), CRA, of UCHealth, and Nate Bachman, BS, MS, of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, will examine how cardiac imaging can help providers learn more about “the influence of high-volume endurance training on cardiovascular health.”
Attendees are sure to leave with information they can use in their own day-to-day lives and pass along to patients, making it a session that keeps on giving.
5. Achieving ACR Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence Designation – Tuesday, July 23, at 4:15 p.m.
Gaining accreditation from the American College of Radiology is a significant step for any imaging providers, and this session aims to help attendees accomplish that goal. Melissa C. Martin, MS, president of Therapy Physics, and Joyce Timko, MBA, CRA, RT(R)(M)(CT), of Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, New York, will offer advice about what the ACR is looking for, how to prepare your employees for an on-site assessment and more.
6. Reducing Sedation and Anesthesia in Pediatric Imaging – Wednesday, July 24, at 1:45 p.m.
One of the leading ways imaging providers can provide value is reducing the use of sedation and general anesthesia (GA) among younger patients. In fact, according to the session summary provided by AHRA, minimizing sedation/GA “should be a priority for radiology departments serving pediatric patients with the same level of priority given to reducing radiation exposure.”
Robert MacDougall, PhD, and Diane Biagiotti, BS, RT MR (R), both of Boston Children’s Hospital, will be speaking on this topic at length and detailing numerous techniques for keeping sedation/GA to a minimum for these patients.
More information on the show is available here. The full schedule can be read here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.