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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Radiologist preferences driving significant cost variability in common imaging-guided procedures

Stanford scientists believe the data underline the need to educate rads about standardization to help curb costs and deliver value.

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Cheaper imaging-guided alternative used far less frequently than hysterectomy for postpartum bleeding

Women who had their uterus removed via this method paid $18,000 more in hospital charges when compared to uterine artery embolization, rads found.

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Assimilating a general radiology practice into a highly specialized academic imaging department

Communication, transparency and data were all key components of the effort, experts detailed in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology. 

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Targeting a new quality challenge in radiology: CT repeat rates within the same examination

University of Wisconsin–Madison physicists recently investigated this topic, analyzing repeat rates across nearly 104,000 exams performed at several institutions. 

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ACR slams JAMA mammography study, editorial over ‘outrageous and insulting’ claims

Content published in the noted journal accused breast imaging providers of operating based on financial incentives, rather than patients' needs. 

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Radiology department bolsters staff knowledge on LGBTQ care with simple intervention

Dozens of team members have now taken part and they’re beginning to see results, according to a new Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology study. 

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Flagship hospital’s mammography program still shuttered more than a year after controversy

House lawmakers ordered inspections at the medical center in 2019 amid reports the facility was struggling to notify patients after breast imaging. 

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New pulmonary embolism approach could substantially reduce imaging overuse

The pretest probability score produced false-negative rates below 1% and dropped imaging use by about 20%, according to a new JAMA Cardiology study. 

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.