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.

Imaging among the costliest, most prevalent low-value services delivered at children’s hospitals

CT for abdominal pain was the No. 1 priciest low-value service in the ED, tallying $1.8M in costs in 2019.

January 4, 2022

Independent radiologists, who bill separately for imaging, muddying hospital price transparency efforts

Reimbursement for such practitioners is often nontrivial and could create a substantial financial burden for patients who don't expect to receive additional bills, experts wrote in JAMA.

December 13, 2021

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), a related organization of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), this week released a statement on the criminalization of medical errors. The APSF said criminal prosecution is unjust and counterproductive is healthcare organizations want to find ways to mitigate errors by understanding how they happen and create protocols or IT systems can can help prevent future errors. The criminal trial of nurse RaDonda Vaught was counterproductive to safety.

Common causes of ‘emotional harm’ adverse events in the radiology department

Investigations of this phenomenon in the specialty are lacking and likely underreported, experts detailed in Radiology.

November 24, 2021

A patient has a telehealth visit with their doctor remotely in their home via video conferencing. The COVID-19 cause massive movement to telehealth since 2020.

Primary care docs order fewer imaging exams when seeing patients via video or phone

That according to a new large-scale analysis from Kaiser Permanente, published in JAMA Network Open.

November 16, 2021

CMS’ oncology alternative payment model reduced utilization of imaging services in Medicare

The alternative payment model was associated with modest changes, including about 46 fewer imaging services used per 1,000 care episodes, experts wrote in JAMA.

November 10, 2021

Options for choosing transgender gender sex or gender choice are now offered in most PACS and RIS systems.

Mammography screening rates low among transgender and nonbinary patients. 2 possible fixes

Gendering of anatomy is one screening barrier, with terms such as "breasts" often discomforting for certain patients, experts wrote recently.

November 2, 2021

Pandemic provides priority-setting opportunity to scrutinize low-value imaging, experts say

After COVID-related disruptions let up last year, the use of certain exams did not return at the same rate as prior to 2020, according to new data.

October 28, 2021

American College of Radiology unveils new imaging appropriateness criteria

ACR recently updated its influential quality guidelines, including five fresh topics and eight revisions to previously released updates.

October 11, 2021

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