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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More with less: Department cuts technologists’ wasted time searching for CT supplies by 62%

The University of Utah Health department of radiology recently tackled a quality improvement project to quash wasted minutes spent seeking syringes and other items in storage. 

William T. Thorwarth ACR American College of Radiology

Is Medicare’s appropriate-use criteria program doomed? ACR chief discusses what went wrong and how it can get back on track

Radiology Business recently sat down with William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, to discuss the future of value-based care in the specialty and how Congress can help remedy the program of what ails it. 

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Inconsistent imaging: Radiologists letting personal preferences influence decision-making

There is significant variation from one radiologist to the next in suggesting follow-up head and neck imaging, Harvard experts detailed in AJR

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Breast cancer incidence rising among women under 50

This includes elevated diagnosis rates for non-Hispanic Black women in their 20s and 30s, before regular mammography screening starts. 

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Radiology experts develop tool for predicting whether patients will require advanced imaging

The Neiman Imaging Comorbidity Index was created using claims from over 10.5 million individuals covered by a large commercial payer.

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Radiologist to collect $4.6M jury verdict in whistleblower case against former practice

Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Consulting Radiologists Ltd. allegedly terminated senior staffer Brent Bullis, MD, after he raised patient safety concerns. 

Radiology departments that serve racial minorities, low-income patients less likely to receive NIH funding

A total of 75 radiology departments received National Institutes of Health funding between 2017-2021, ranging from $195,000 to nearly $217.9 million. 

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Imaging not a major driver of healthcare costs, data from value-based commercial plan show

Radiology has been a common target in such efforts to reduce spending and prevent healthcare waste. But is such scrutiny warranted? 

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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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