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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Errors in imaging orders occur occasionally. How 1 institution reduced them by 83%

This is an under-examined phenomenon, experts note, with common reasons including selecting the wrong modality, technique, anatomy or contrast. 

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Program for closing loop on follow-up imaging recommendations generates $1M in revenue, covers FTE costs

Such a "safety net" team also can help to reduce diagnostic errors due to missed and delayed diagnoses, Brigham and Women's experts detailed in JACR

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Mayo Clinic uses automation to share Patient Praises with radiology staff

The noted academic institution trimmed about 3 minutes from the manual feedback-sharing process while also bolstering feelings of appreciation among its imaging team. 

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Patient self-scheduling significantly increases mammography completion rates

This small, low-cost practice change is a promising way to increase cancer screening participation, researchers detailed recently. 

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Startup aiming to streamline medical imaging appointments raises $9M

Medmo has now expanded nationwide, supporting clients including imaging centers, primary care groups, large hospital systems and virtual health providers. 

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Radiologist launches ‘groundbreaking’ second-opinion service with 24-hour turnaround time

RadiologyCheck.com is slated to launch soon, allowing patients across the globe to easily upload files “within seconds.” 

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Novel ‘next level of care’ protocol reduces wait times for follow-up services in radiology

Those involved believe the approach is “reproducible and systematic” and can potentially be applied nationally for any biopsies involving radiologists. 

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Medicare finalizes 2024 physician fee schedule with radiologist pay cuts, pause of AUC program

Physician advocacy groups including the RBMA, ASTRO, MGMA and AMA criticized the final rule, with the latter calling it a "recipe for financial instability." 

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.