Quality

The focus of quality improvement in healthcare is to bolster performance and processes related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Leaders in this space also ensure the proper selection of imaging exams and procedures, and monitor the safety of services, among other duties. Reimbursement programs such as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) utilize financial incentives to improve quality. This also includes setting and maintaining care quality initiatives, such as the requirements set by the Joint Commission.

IAEA: When selecting medical imaging equipment, don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘low dose’
Advanced imaging equipment using ionizing radiation enters the global market at the rate of one new technology every five years.
American College of Radiology adds 6 new topics to its influential imaging appropriateness criteria
The update covers scenarios such as thoracic back pain (where imaging usually isn't appropriate) and penetrating torso trauma (which sometimes requires X-rays or CT).
Radiologists at a clear disadvantage in Medicare’s MIPS program, new study shows
In 2021, there were only nine available MIPS measures for diagnostic radiology versus 65 in family medicine, Neiman Health Policy Institute experts report.
Amyloid blood test could eliminate millions in spending on PET imaging for Alzheimer’s
At roughly $5,000 per positron emission tomography exam, experts estimate the U.S. healthcare system could save $9 million (or about $1,432 per patient) on imaging.
Portion of patients undergoing CTA for headache or dizziness soars 67% while positivity rate plummets
That’s according to new research out of the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, published in Internal and Emergency Medicine.

CMS renews NRDR status as qualified clinical data registry for 2015

Reston, Va. (April 1, 2015) – Radiology professionals can continue to use the American College of Radiology (ACR) National Radiology Data Registry (NRDR™) to meet quality reporting requirements under the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has renewed NRDR’s status as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR).

April 3, 2015

Strategic Radiology's patient safety organization selects DoseMonitor as its radiation dose monitoring solution

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz./EWORLDWIRE/March 2, 2015 --- PHS Technologies Group LLC, a division of PACSHealth LLC, and developer of innovative software that records and analyzes ionizing radiation data from medical imaging procedures, today announced that multi-state radiology services provider Strategic Radiology (SR) will begin to use PHS's DoseMonitor 2.0 to monitor patient radiation exposure in its patient safety organization (PSO).

March 2, 2015

Structured for Success: The RSNA Radiology Reporting Initiative

To understand why the future of radiology is in reporting that is both structured and template-based, look to the earliest days of the profession.

February 23, 2015

ACR 2015™ quality and safety training addresses real-world radiology challenges

Reston, Va. (Feb. 16, 2015) — Quality and safety sessions at ACR 2015™ can help radiology professionals address hot-button issues — including radiation dose optimization, mammography value, quality metrics and pay-for-performance measures. Demonstrating quality is increasingly important as medicine transitions from volume to value-based care. 

February 18, 2015

AHRA and Toshiba announce 2014 Putting Patients First Grant Winners

Program grant total reaches $425,000; 43 grants.

January 27, 2015

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals announces U.S. launch of OptiSync™ data management system

ST. LOUIS (September 22, 2014) – Mallinckrodt (NYSE: MNK) today announced the U.S. launch of the OptiSyncTM data management system as a new technology in its Global Medical Imaging segment. The OptiSync system is designed to help healthcare professionals efficiently collect and analyze radiology data from when a patient undergoes a contrast media-enhanced computed tomography (CT) diagnostic imaging procedure.

September 23, 2014

Toshiba and AHRA Launch Seventh Annual Putting Patients First Program

TUSTIN, Calif., August 12, 2014 – Providing hospitals with resources and support to develop and improve patient care programs, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management announces the seventh year of its Putting Patients First Program. Putting Patients First grants enable healthcare facilities to fund programs, training or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety and customizing treatment in CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular imaging. The grants are funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

August 12, 2014

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

Quality

IAEA: When selecting medical imaging equipment, don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘low dose’

American College of Radiology adds 6 new topics to its influential imaging appropriateness criteria

Radiologists at a clear disadvantage in Medicare’s MIPS program, new study shows

Amyloid blood test could eliminate millions in spending on PET imaging for Alzheimer’s

Portion of patients undergoing CTA for headache or dizziness soars 67% while positivity rate plummets

Around the web