Helpful Sites for PQRI

AMA data-collection worksheets: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/clinical-practice-improvement/clinical-quality/participation-tools-individual-2010.shtml Analysis, payment, and feedback samples: http://www.cms.gov/PQRI/25_AnalysisAndPayment.asp CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI): http://www.cms.gov/PQRI/02_Spotlight.asp#TopOfPage ACR® PQRI FAQ: http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/p4p/FeaturedCategories/P4PInitiatives/ValueBasedPurchasing/pqri/FeaturedCategories/resources/PQRIFAQs.aspx?css=print ACR bonus information: http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/p4p/FeaturedCategories/QI-News/PQRIBonusPayment.aspx ACR PQRI 2009 archive: http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/p4p/FeaturedCategories/P4PInitiatives/ValueBasedPurchasing/pqri/FeaturedCategories/resources/2009Archive.aspx CMS group-practice reporting: http://www4.cms.gov/PQRI/22_Group_Practice_Reporting_Option.asp#TopOfPage

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.