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.

Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently convened a panel of industry experts, devising a list of issues with the new quality metric.
Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists
Only about 9% of images examined presented a “realistic view of a radiologist’s job," according to new research out of Belgium.
Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey
The call to action comes from a poll of over 500 specialists at a single academic institution, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
Small practices, individual radiologists at a disadvantage in Medicare quality pay program
“Unfortunately, the imbalance in available MIPS radiology measures is worsening,” said study co-author Lauren Nicola, MD, CEO of Triad Radiology Associates.
ACR hopes new quality metric could boost lung cancer screening rates to 70%
The National Committee for Quality Assurance is taking public comment on the health plan quality metric until March 13.

Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently convened a panel of industry experts, devising a list of issues with the new quality metric.

Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists

Only about 9% of images examined presented a “realistic view of a radiologist’s job," according to new research out of Belgium.

survey polling quick data check mark poll research doctor

Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey

The call to action comes from a poll of over 500 specialists at a single academic institution, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

Small practices, individual radiologists at a disadvantage in Medicare quality pay program

“Unfortunately, the imbalance in available MIPS radiology measures is worsening,” said study co-author Lauren Nicola, MD, CEO of Triad Radiology Associates.

ACR hopes new quality metric could boost lung cancer screening rates to 70%

The National Committee for Quality Assurance is taking public comment on the health plan quality metric until March 13.

Radiologists overlook lung lesion on X-ray leading to nearly 5-year cancer diagnosis delay

The controversy dates to February 2017 when a woman complaining of coughing underwent imaging, and a rad misinterpreted an abnormality as a "nipple shadow."

ACR wants Medicare to add more radiology measures in MIPS quality pay program

Radiology advocates believe the value-based payment program needs more measures to support radiologists in meeting performance requirements.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

Clinical decision support fails to reduce inappropriate imaging requests

Experts have touted CDS as a way to reduce waste in the healthcare system—educating referrers about proper order selection while providing relief to radiologists.

Around the web

Health Imaging

American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging

AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Health Imaging

Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

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