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.

Pay-for-performance initiative markedly improves radiologists’ quality and safety successes

Brigham and Women’s saw a nearly 21% drop in the time between completing an imaging scan and a radiologist signing off on the final report, among other gains.

January 31, 2021

Patient safety watchdog Leapfrog Group launches national initiative targeting diagnostic errors

The effort is fueled by a $1.2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, with participation from big names including Johns Hopkins University.

January 29, 2021

Standardizing evaluation after liver cancer treatment could save US healthcare more than $575M per year

Currently, no unified guidelines exist for assessing tumor response in HCC patients, which can lead to excess costs from redundant imaging and ineffective therapies.

January 28, 2021

Overaggressive lung nodule evaluation saddling patients with excess costs, radiation exposure

Patients who received a more intense course of evaluation tallied $20,132 more in expenditures, but saw no difference in late-stage cancer diagnoses, experts wrote in JAMA.

January 19, 2021

Triage tool helps cut unnecessary CT imaging for blunt trauma without worsening patient outcomes

That’s according to a large, retrospective analysis of this intervention, detailed in RSNA’s Radiology.

January 18, 2021

Radiology quality-improvement program could cut imaging spending by $433M if used across Medicare

The Radiology Support, Communication and Alignment Network, or R-SCAN, operates by having referrers, rads and patients work together to bolster imaging appropriateness.

January 13, 2021

Offering same-day cancer risk assessments, genetic testing to boost a breast imaging practice’s value

MD Anderson piloted radiology-operated, proactive testing to help diagnose high-risk women also undergoing imaging.

December 18, 2020

ACR seeks input in effort to address radiology’s deadly incidental findings conundrum

With the Closing the Results Follow-up Loop on Incidental Findings project moving to its next phase, college leaders want feedback from rads and patients.

December 16, 2020

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