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.

U of Iowa Radiologist Malik Juweid Threatens Witnesses in Skype Testimony

Malik Juweid, the University of Iowa radiologist who has claimed ethnic bias in the dismissal charges he faces from the university, did little to disavow onlookers of his incendiary temper at a Friday disciplinary hearing.

CMS to Close Loophole After Audit Reveals Overpayments

Starting July 1, a new three-day payment window will cover all diagnostic services for Medicare beneficiaries admitted to wholly owned and/or operated hospital entities, including physician practices.

Philips Launches Emerging Market Production in India

Philips will begin production of mid-level imaging devices at its first manufacturing center in India, the Wall Street Journal reports--another step into emerging markets for the imaging manufacturer.

U.S. Inspector General Estimates $6.4M in CMS Overpayments

A new audit from the Office of the Inspector General estimates some $6.4 million in overpayments to hospital outpatient providers in 2008 and 2009 for services rendered within three days of the beneficiaries’ admissions. These include overpayments for diagnostic imaging services.

RBMA Names 2012/13 Directors, Officers

The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) announced its 2012/13 leadership changes this week.

Women Advised to Avoid Unnecessary Imaging Tests to Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a UCSF researcher whose JAMA study published this week warns of the increased body burden of a lifetime of exposure to medical imaging, has also examined a subset of those findings involving breast cancer risk.

Molecular Imaging to Have an Expanded Role in Fight Against Alzheimer's

New molecular imaging research shows that the presence of beta-amyloid plaques that correlate with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease may also indicate mild cognitive decline.

Increase in Imaging Concerns Researchers

Questions about the necessity of imaging tests continued to dominate headlines this week, as a new study published in JAMA claims that HMOs are seeing an increase in imaging despite the lack of their financial incentive to conduct them.