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.

White patients undergo higher rates of diagnostic imaging in the ED than their black counterparts

Previous studies have demonstrated that imaging overuse is pervasive in the ED, with “defensive medicine” a common reason, experts wrote in JAMA Network Open

quality

5 solutions for addressing errors in diagnostic radiology

Omer A. Awan, MD, and colleagues detailed their advice in an Educational Perspective piece published Aug. 17 by Academic Radiology.  

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6 success factors for reducing low-value medical imaging

Norway has worked to address unnecessary imaging in its public healthcare system, sharing lessons learned in the journal Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology

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Clinical decision support significantly reduces volume of CT pulmonary angiogram requests

That’s according to a new analysis from Boston-based researchers, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology

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Simple automated protocol halves radiology workstations' energy consumption

Although much of the energy consumed by imaging departments is unavoidable, experts propose that small, seemingly insignificant changes can be an effective means of reducing radiology’s carbon footprint. 

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Pharmacist pleads guilty to 'adulterating' radiopharmaceuticals

According to the DOJ, the pharmacist and those working under him “would ‘fractionate’ or ‘split’ the active ingredient of Technescan MAG3, without ensuring the pieces were equal in size, purity or strength.” 

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Radiology experts recommend ‘expenditure mapping’ as path to addressing rising imaging costs

UNC Health undertook this exercise with a focus on pediatric diagnostics, according to a study published in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.  

breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

All mammograms from the last 2 years 'could be subject to an inaccurate interpretation,' hospital warns

Per an order from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the hospital has had to halt all mammography services.

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After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

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