Patient Care

This page includes news coverage of various aspects of patient healthcare, including new technology innovations, what is working, what is not, personalized medicine and remote and telemedicine delivery. Find specific news in the areas of Care DeliveryDigital TransformationPrecision MedicineRemote Monitoring and Telehealth.

Lung cancer screening stethoscope

‘Considerable’ rates of lung cancer found among individuals with no known risk factors

Researchers in China analyzed data from the general population, finding similar detection rates for the disease among high-risk individuals and others. 

industry watchers digest

Half of cancer patients ignorant about imaging, and it’s causing them depression, anxiety and stress

Such “scanxiety” can have a detrimental effect on exam quality, delay care and necessitate additional imaging, experts write in the Journal of Radiology Nursing. 

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

Diagnoses of this key clinical concern leapt 480% in 5 years, with CT a likely factor

The condition in question is sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength typically seen in older adults. 

radiation oncology therapy treatment

Unmet needs such as transport and finances forcing cancer patients to miss imaging appointments

Despite the prevalence of this concern, only 17% are screened for these health-related social challenges, experts write in JACR

radiology clock alarm turnaround time efficiency

Criticisms over teleradiologist’s quick CT read convince jury to OK $15.5M malpractice verdict

Thomas J. Bryce, MD, purportedly only spent five minutes reading head and spine images of a 74-year-old who had experienced a fall, a fact harped on by winning plaintiff attorneys. 

cancer screening puzzle

Patients eligible for both breast and lung cancer screening are getting mammograms while ditching low-dose CT in droves

This finding underlines the need for interventions to increase LCS awareness and address common barriers such as confusing eligibility criteria. 

icometrix MRI brain alzheimer's

American College of Radiology partners with AI developer, seeking to improve Alzheimer’s diagnoses

ACR is teaming with Belgium-based Icometrix, which is providing its brain MRI software to facilities participating in the Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics. 

referral form referrer paperwork request radiology report

4 takeaways from a survey of hundreds of referrers on their radiology report preferences

Surgeons and internists have different preferences compared to general practitioners, but most said they want more collaboration with radiologists. 

Around the web

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

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.