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.

Emergency head CT use has more than doubled over last decade
A new analysis suggests approximately 1 out of every 10 patients presenting to the ED will complete a head CT during their visit.
MRI patients willing to commute farther for clinics that use low-dose GBCAs
Data suggest most patients in need of contrast-enhanced MR imaging would prefer lower dose alternatives. Some are willing to go well out of their way to achieve that.
Telix says new kidney cancer imaging agent alters treatment plans for 50% of patients
The positive findings come after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously shared concerns related to sterility assurance issues during the drug’s production.
Siemens Healthineers issues correction for MRI systems affected by recent Class 1 recall
On Aug. 28, Siemens alerted customers about safety issues with nine different scanners from its Magnetom series of MRI offerings.
New data highlight 'systemic inconsistencies' in documentation of contrast reactions
Although uncommon and typically not life-threatening, hypersensitivity reactions have increased in recent decades alongside the significant rise in CT use.

Hospital system opens ‘first of its kind’ center offering imaging to COVID survivors

Mount Sinai Health System, located in the heart of America’s outbreak, said its Center for Post-COVID Care will harness advanced diagnostic tools and treatment from radiologists, cardiologists and a host of other specialties

10% of patients with a ‘big three’ disease are misdiagnosed

The most commonly missed condition seems to be spinal abscess, an infection that can cause paraplegia yet was fumbled in more than 62% of cases.

Radiology interest groups urge Congress to delay implementation of imaging appropriate-use criteria

Several imaging industry lobbying groups are continuing to press national lawmakers to provide relief for radiology practices hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigation uncovers ‘gross errors,’ radiologist intimidation at one medical center

The Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General recently launched the probe at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee after receiving an anonymous tip.

Breakthrough blood test detects cancers before symptoms arise, PET/CT confirms

Results were shared in Science, with experts also presenting them virtually the same day at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting.

Handing women 75 and up mammography ‘decision aid’ results in fewer breast imaging exams

That’s according to the results of a recent investigation, highlighted Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

US Imaging experts cast further doubts about CT’s place in radiologists’ COVID diagnosis toolkit

A group of a 11 U.S. imaging experts are the latest to join this group, publishing their reservations in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 4 new topics

In addition, the college also revised a dozen more categories to help radiologists determine how to deploy imaging in certain scenarios.

Quality

Emergency head CT use has more than doubled over last decade

MRI patients willing to commute farther for clinics that use low-dose GBCAs

Telix says new kidney cancer imaging agent alters treatment plans for 50% of patients

Siemens Healthineers issues correction for MRI systems affected by recent Class 1 recall

New data highlight 'systemic inconsistencies' in documentation of contrast reactions