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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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.  

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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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Mammography Positioning Improvement Collaborative records dramatic gains in breast image quality

Poor patient positioning can lead to undetected cancer cases and increased costs due to the need for repeat exams, experts detailed in JACR.  

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Image-interpretation market scoreboard: Radiologists 72%, others 28%

Radiologists interpret almost all imaging studies generated in hospital settings for indications other than cardiac concerns.

american college of radiology ai quality assurance center

ACR opens doors of AI quality-assurance center

Radiology practice leaders have a new way to assure their patients, communities, referrers and payers—and their own people—that the AI products they use are in compliance with safety and efficacy guidelines set by the American College of Radiology.

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Emergency medicine physicians develop novel approach that reduces unnecessary imaging by half

To fine-tune triage, scientists have created a clinical prediction rule, incorporating it into an algorithm to guide ED providers considering CT or X-ray. 

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.