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.

Dermal filler recently approved by FDA could skew breast imaging results, experts warn
The filler contains hydroxylapatite microspheres, which may be visible on medical imaging.
AI software more than halves hospital's MRI exam times
Leaders at the hospital have equipped the radiology department’s MRI scanner with a new AI software that essentially fills in the blanks between image slices with synthetic images.
AI guidance reduces exam time by 34% for novice ultrasound operators
The quality of ultrasound exams depends highly on operator skill, but experts believe artificial intelligence could improve consistency considerably.
Philips issues urgent device correction notice for thousands of imaging units
Philips notified affected customers of the issue in early March, also sharing details on signs of potential system failures.
Hospital's digital intelligence platform cuts imaging wait times, but with a caveat
The closed-loop digital platform is equipped with an intelligent scheduling algorithm and a dynamic report dispatching system.

Example of a typical mammography imaging suite during a breast screening exam. The patient has their breast compressed by the clear plastic part of the mammography system. The compression is necessary to get diagnostic grade images. It also helps with getting consistent images, which is important because new exams are compared to prior exams to help identify any changes in the breast that may be due to cancer. The black base below the breast is the X-ray detector. What is involved in a mammogram?

Dermal filler recently approved by FDA could skew breast imaging results, experts warn

The filler contains hydroxylapatite microspheres, which may be visible on medical imaging.

AI software more than halves hospital's MRI exam times

Leaders at the hospital have equipped the radiology department’s MRI scanner with a new AI software that essentially fills in the blanks between image slices with synthetic images.

AI guidance reduces exam time by 34% for novice ultrasound operators

The quality of ultrasound exams depends highly on operator skill, but experts believe artificial intelligence could improve consistency considerably.

Philips issues urgent device correction notice for thousands of imaging units

Philips notified affected customers of the issue in early March, also sharing details on signs of potential system failures.

Hospital's digital intelligence platform cuts imaging wait times, but with a caveat

The closed-loop digital platform is equipped with an intelligent scheduling algorithm and a dynamic report dispatching system.

Experts call for Lung-RADS updates amid concern about certain incidental findings

New findings from a large CT lung cancer screening dataset reveal that a substantial number of patients have significant incidental findings visible on their scans.

FDA suspends medical spa's mammography operations amid 'serious concerns' about quality

Anyone who underwent mammograms at the clinic since late 2023 is urged to take action, as the exam quality likely did not meet clinical standards.

Northwestern deploys new mobile stroke unit equipped with 32-slice CT scanner

The MSU operates 365 days a year and covers 138 square miles. Hundreds of patients have been treated through the MSU, with more than 500 receiving critical care in it 2025 alone.