Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026
The insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group said the shift is part of its ongoing effort to eliminate the barriers between care delivery and medical coverage. The full list of services exempt from prior authorizations includes diagnostic tests and many outpatient surgeries.
Atrium Health looking to scoop up smaller nonprofit health system in $2B deal
WakeMed, a three-hospital system in the North Carolina capital region of Raleigh, would become part of Advocate Health, Atrium’s parent company, if the deal goes through. Advocate is one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the U.S.
Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx
The New Jersey-based drug developer joins AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer in offering products directly to patients at a discounted rate. Johnson & Johnson is currently listing four medications on the platform.
FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs
The agency said it is seeking to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B program based on a lack of clinical evidence. Unless there’s a shortage, the pharmaceuticals would be barred from being compounded by third-parties for the purpose of treating diabetes or obesity. The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal.
Virtual nursing staff may help save cardiology departments from burnout
The idea is spreading thanks to a new startup focused on providing support for cardiologists.

Growing demand for radiologic technologists reflected in 2 educational endeavors

A new scholarship looks to help address shorthanded staffing in facilities that employ mammography technologists. And a fresh acquisition will bring RT e-learning to a widely dispersed student body.

Radiology techs in especially high demand as 85% of hospitals seek ‘allied’ health workers

More than four-fifths of healthcare provider organizations are shorthanded of allied health professionals, and the job title with the most unfilled positions in the category is radiologic technologist.

Sun Nuclear, ScanLabMR, Spectrum Dynamics and a dozen more industry names in the news

Virtual reality vendors XRHealth (software) and HTC Vive (hardware) introduce glasses-based system for distracting patients undergoing MRI exams and other anxiety-provoking medical procedures (Oct. 19).

Private practice IRs out-earn academic peers, but fuller comparison suggests a wash on quantifiable pros and cons

The academics turn the tables in median starting salaries, edging out private-practice interventional radiologists $380,000 to $374,000 while also working fewer weekly call days.

Carestream, Philips, Sectra and 5 more industry names in the news of late

Oct. 11: Aftermarket parts and service supplier DirectMed in San Diego acquires MRI coil vendor ScanMed of Omaha, Neb.

Survey spurred by ‘general need for more public transparency’ sheds light on editorial leadership at imaging journals

At scientific journals focused on medical imaging, 82% of editors-in-chief and 30% of editorial board members receive financial compensation for these side jobs.

2 imaging technologies cleared for respective markets

The FDA has approved a CT guidance system for interventional radiologists performing percutaneous procedures with robotics. And the European Union has greenlit a family of mobile CT scanners.

7-state imaging powerhouse consolidates presence in the Garden State

An investor-backed practice in the Northeast has acquired the radiology operations of a practice that runs six imaging centers in New Jersey.

Business Intelligence

UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026

Atrium Health looking to scoop up smaller nonprofit health system in $2B deal

Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx

FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs

Virtual nursing staff may help save cardiology departments from burnout