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.

oximeter health screening equity

Humana pilot study reveals ongoing healthcare discrimination among Medicare Advantage members

While only a feasibility exercise, the study strongly suggests additional patient screenings would help deepen understanding of literacy and discrimination issues.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

New breast imaging approach provides high sensitivity while reducing false positives: ‘Groundbreaking advancement’

Low-dose positron emission mammography is a molecular imaging technique that also can reduce radiation exposure while avoiding breast compression. 

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CMS beta testing new mammography-related quality measures

The federal agency is aiming to assess radiologist performance in breast cancer screening and improve patient outcomes.

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Financial incentives significantly increase radiologist compliance with quality-improvement initiative

UT Southwestern has introduced a grading template in knee radiograph reports to help decrease the use of unnecessary MR imaging. 

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How 4 E’s can reduce use of ineffective care

The proposed 4 E’s strategy is based on a hierarchy of effectiveness, suggesting that, while initial steps like education are crucial, they must be complemented by more robust measures to ensure durable change.

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More with less: Department cuts technologists’ wasted time searching for CT supplies by 62%

The University of Utah Health department of radiology recently tackled a quality improvement project to quash wasted minutes spent seeking syringes and other items in storage. 

William T. Thorwarth ACR American College of Radiology

Is Medicare’s appropriate-use criteria program doomed? ACR chief discusses what went wrong and how it can get back on track

Radiology Business recently sat down with William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, to discuss the future of value-based care in the specialty and how Congress can help remedy the program of what ails it. 

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Inconsistent imaging: Radiologists letting personal preferences influence decision-making

There is significant variation from one radiologist to the next in suggesting follow-up head and neck imaging, Harvard experts detailed in AJR