Over the past few years, hospitals have been acquiring imaging centers at a brisk pace. Hospital and imaging-center transactions require an independent opinion on fair market value to ensure regulatory compliance; a thorough fair-market analysis will incorporate macroeconomic industry trends, along with the facts and circumstances specific to the

Interventional-radiology departments are facing increasing demands to justify costs, measure outcomes, and prove value in a competitive clinical environment. Though they are often managed alongside their diagnostic-radiology counterparts, the reality is that interventional-radiology departments have more in common with cardiac catheterization,

In reviewing a schematic diagram of the integration points of the imaging information systems of Kaiser Northern California (Oakland), Richard (Skip) Kennedy, MS, bewails the current state of point-to-point integration in health care. Not only is this approach inefficient, time intensive, and wildly expensive, it’s not working very well.

How elusive is the goal of meaningful use among imaging groups? We know of only a handful of US radiology practices that have qualified. Relying on in-house talent is a great way to get it done, but not many practices have the personnel needed to research the complexities involved. Selecting and deploying the correct technology, and then attesting

Proposed rules for stage 2 of the federal government’s electronic health record (EHR) incentive program were issued in late February, and the reaction from the radiology community has been somewhat favorable (unlike its response to the rules for stage 1). Proposed rules from CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT include specific

In the wake of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the US Navy deployed an emergency medical fleet, equipping it with an array of state-of-the-art onboard digital-imaging solutions. iCRco, a manufacturer of imaging solutions, provided these first responders with the ability to obtain DR images and diagnose patients’ problems on the spot using the

The process of evaluating new technology has quickened its pace, but that does not make it any less challenging for a busy radiology practice, Ted Best says. Best is acting director of IT for Carolina Regional Radiology (CRR), Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is president of Xodus Technology Professionals. “The process flow hasn’t changed; what

The growing trend of large health systems acquiring outpatient imaging centers from radiology groups can create a stressful situation for all parties involved. It can be especially difficult for a radiology group’s leadership to part with what was once a very lucrative arm of the business, but acquisition offers do not grow on trees.