AHRA and Toshiba Expand Patients First Program

For the fourth year of in a row, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., are offering grants to fund programs, training or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety in CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular imaging. The Putting Patients First Program was created to spur development of best practices all diagnostic imaging facilities can learn from, and winners are expected to share their methods and results publicly. As in previous years, six grants of up to $7,500 each will be awarded to hospitals and imaging centers to help them build new or expand upon existing education and patient care initiatives. In addition, new this year is a grant of up to $20,000 that will be awarded to an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) or hospital system for projects that improve overall patient care and safety in imaging across the IDN/hospital system. Putting Patients First applicants will be judged on their program plan and ability to share best practices. The applicants’ programs should address one or more of the following:

• Reducing radiation and/or contrast dose
• Reducing the need for sedation
• Improving communication with patients regarding the process
• Improving patient comfort
• Improving the overall clinical pathway

To apply, complete the program's online application at www.ahraonline.org or www.medical.toshiba.com by October 11, 2011.To learn more, read the press release from Toshiba.