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.

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

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. 

Radiologists and emergency physicians agree: Imaging overuse in the ED is an ongoing problem

The issue particularly pertains to CT overuse, with several factors driving up ordering numbers, according to recently published survey data. 

'Too many cooks in the kitchen': How AI is both helpful and a hindrance to radiologists

Recent research suggests that, in many cases, radiologist performance only improves minimally with AI assistance.

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Biopsy before ablation has no cost advantage over both-at-once approach

Established guidelines recommend biopsying small tumors of the kidney ahead of any procedure to ablate them. A new study confirms the validity of pursuing another pathway.

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Same-day discharge after interventional radiology procedure saves money without impacting outcomes

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with bed space at a premium, UAB Medicine started sending patients home after percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumors. 

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Collaborative bolsters prostate MRI quality, with 1 site realizing $559,000 in reimbursement gains

Some of the most commonly deployed interventions included protocol adjustments, standardized patient prep instructions and personnel training. 

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IAEA: When selecting medical imaging equipment, don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘low dose’

Advanced imaging equipment using ionizing radiation enters the global market at the rate of one new technology every five years.

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American College of Radiology adds 6 new topics to its influential imaging appropriateness criteria

The update covers scenarios such as thoracic back pain (where imaging usually isn't appropriate) and penetrating torso trauma (which sometimes requires X-rays or CT). 

Around the web

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.

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.