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.

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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. 

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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.  

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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. 

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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. 

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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."

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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. 

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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. 

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Automated tracking helps leave no incidental finding behind

Radiology researchers have developed and validated an automated program for tracking incidental imaging findings. The system facilitates communications between radiologists, patients and primary care providers whenever such findings turn up.  

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News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

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.