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.

Video of Patrick McGill, MD, explaining how Community Health Network in Indiana eliminated more than 5 million nuisance alerts.

Indiana hospitals reduce nuisance alerts by 77% with medication decision support software

"Changing just six alerts in the system knocked out about 5 million alerts annually," explained Patrick McGill, MD, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at CHN.

November 6, 2023
radiologist radiology pay compensation money dollar

Medicare finalizes 2024 physician fee schedule with radiologist pay cuts, pause of AUC program

Physician advocacy groups including the RBMA, ASTRO, MGMA and AMA criticized the final rule, with the latter calling it a "recipe for financial instability." 

November 3, 2023

Radiology vendor Covera Health raises up to $50M in financing, acquires AI firm

Coupled with its acquisition of CoRead—an AI quality assurance company used by over 2,000 hospitals—the startup plans to rapidly scale its offerings. 

November 2, 2023
infant mortality

US infant mortality takes a turn for the worse

In calendar year 2022, annual infant mortality alarmingly rose in four states while receding to a reassuring degree in just one.

November 2, 2023
America's Top Young Scientist

14-year old invents soap to treat skin cancer, earns award

Ninth grader Heman Bekele was awarded the grand prize of “America's Top Young Scientist” in a nationwide competition.

October 25, 2023
overnight night shift attending radiologist burnout. A new policy statement from the American College of Cardiology highlights the importance of career flexibility—including the ability to change hours or work responsibilities when necessary—for cardiologists of all ages. 

New MRI guidelines help decrease call burden on off-hours neuroradiologists by 74%

“As radiology strives to lessen staff call burden, generalist triage can sustain clinical service levels and reduce at-home call burnout,” experts wrote in JACR

October 25, 2023

Prior authorization for imaging causing anxiety, administrative burden for cancer patients

Payers most frequently require PA for imaging (71%), followed by IV chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, according to new survey data. 

October 20, 2023

Physicians fight to end ban on doc-owned hospitals while AHA advocates for status quo

A proposal to end the moratorium on new POHs was among several policies discussed at a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing Oct. 19. 

October 19, 2023