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.

prostate cancer PSA

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’

The startup has partnered with employers such as Walmart, providers and health plans (including BCBS Michigan) to steer patients to top imaging centers. 

Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%

An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications. 

healthcare quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CDS checklist

American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 11 new topics

For the first time, the ACR Appropriateness Criteria is providing guidance covering staging and follow-up of leukemia, the college said Tuesday. 

Raj Kedar, MD, MBBS, FACR, vice chair of radiology and the University of South Florida, and chief of radiology at Tampa General Hospital, spoke on how to improve quality of STAT radiology orders and reduce inappropriate exams.

Enhancing STAT radiology exam order efficiency to reduce turnaround time

Raj Kedar, MD, chief of radiology at Tampa General Hospital, spoke on how to reduce the number of STAT imaging exams and inappropriate exams via staff education and additional questions of orders. 

 

Emergency Department room ED ER EM

5 EHR-based strategies to reduce CT turnaround times

Simple practice changes have helped Denver Health cut the time from exam order placement to initiation by about 47%. 

Heart cardiologists doctors surgery

Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes

The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.

Medtronic Evolut FX TAVR valve

Oversizing reduces PVL when implanting Medtronic’s newer self-expanding TAVR valves

Paravalvular leak has been shown to impact patient outcomes after TAVR. Higher degrees of valve oversizing, however, can reduce the risk of post-treatment PVL without increasing the odds of adverse outcomes.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.