Features

New Data Underscore Importance of Looking for HCM Before Scheduling TAVR

Reported in 2018 by anesthesiologists at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, the case suggested a message to TAVR operators: “Vigilance and a high degree of suspicion” are critical for avoiding the potentially severe hemodynamic consequences of HCM associated with aortic stenosis, the authors asserted (J Med Case Rep 2018;18;12[1]:372).

Board Certification Brouhaha: Rads Cry Foul Over ABR’s Ways and Means

At the American College of Radiology’s 2019 meeting last May, speaker after speaker stepped up to the open microphone in the ballroom of a Washington, D.C., hotel to vent their displeasure with the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and its maintenance of certification (MOC) program.

COVID or Not, Big Money is Buying Radiology Practices. Should Yours Be Selling?

Ahead of print in Radiology Business Journal: As private medical practices continue feeling the squeeze of consolidation across U.S. healthcare, many radiology groups are considering acquisition offers from physician practice management companies (PPMCs).

Seeing the Future–in 3D: New CPT Codes Set the Stage for Expanding 3D Printing in Cardiology

Until recently, cardiologists’ eyes tended to glaze over at the mention of using 3D printing in their practices. Most believed the costs would be too high for routine use, that the applications and the price tag were better suited to academic applications.

Data Dilemma: Taming Healthcare’s Beautiful Beast

To get the operational perspective, CVB hosted a roundtable discussion with service line leaders about the opportunities and challenges they encounter around data.

90 Days a Dyad (or Triad): Strategies for Success & Errors to Avoid in the Crucial Early Days of Partnership

Experienced dyad and triad partners share tips for setting the stage for success and putting the brakes on mistakes.

New Take on Transplant: Reconsidering Hepatitis C-infected Hearts for Donation

As many as 700 hearts from donors with hepatitis C are discarded each year in the U.S. New research suggests at least some of these organs may be suitable for transplant.

Pop Goes the Pillbox: Will Polypharmacy Problems Limit the Adoption of SGLT2 Inhibitors?

Following data supporting their use for heart failure and type 2 diabetes, will sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors find a spot in the heart failure armamentarium?

Wait. Will AI Replace Radiologists After All?

Despite authoritative voices reassuring radiologists that artificial intelligence will never seriously cull their workforce, speculation to the contrary continues. In fact, some of the prognosticators most certain about likely job losses are radiologists themselves.

Virtual Hearts in Actual Hands: Medical 3D Printing Polishes Its Act for Prime Time

Notwithstanding the hopes and fears around AI, medical 3D printing is the emerging technology that could help pull radiology into the realm of the indispensable. Thanks to progress toward permanent billing codes, the future of reimbursable 3D printing is taking shape.

Open Spaces Everywhere and Not a Rad in Sight

Rural U.S. populations often suffer poor access to healthcare services. The cracks many patients fall through are not the fault of radiology per se. However, researchers and rural radiologists agree that much imaging ground must be gained if location-based disparities are to be cut down to size.

Bring on the Bots: Introducing AI into the Revenue Cycle

As costs continue to rise, healthcare organizations must become more efficient with collecting, says Anthony Cunningham, MBA, vice president of Patient Financial Services at Wake Forest Baptist Health. One approach, he explains, is deploying staff away from repetitive tasks and “toward high-value-add work.” That’s where artificial intelligence comes in.

Around the web

Radiology Business

Disruptions to small practices’ operations remain ‘severe and ongoing’ months after Change cyberattack

Owner UnitedHealth had claimed services would be largely restored by late March, but doc groups such as the MGMA claim things are still a mess.

Health Exec

Worries rise over bird flu in cows

Infectious disease experts are ratcheting up their watchfulness of the H5N1 influenza virus. That’s because the strain of “bird flu” has continued turning up in domestic livestock.

Health Exec

AMGA condemns FTC ban on noncompetes in healthcare

The healthcare employers’ trade group said a nationwide ban on noncompete contracts will stifle investment in new technologies.