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.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program
Wes Folds, a PET specialist with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, discusses a new nuclear offering from IAC.
Referrers want more structured radiology reports
Ordering physicians believe templated reporting more clearly communicates impressions regarding neuro patients, which often require more complex workups and management.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care
Cardiologist Gregg Fonarow, MD, reviewed decades of data and discussed the long-term impact of the AHA's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program.

New IR treatment helps patients suffering from ‘tennis elbow’ without surgery

A new noninvasive treatment can be used to treat the chronic condition commonly known as “tennis elbow,” according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Increased background parenchymal enhancement level a key biomarker for breast cancer risk

Increased background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) levels at breast MRI are associated with a greater risk of developing breast cancer within a year, according to new findings published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

DBT reduces harm to patients by lowering breast biopsy rates

Implementing digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) leads to lower breast biopsy rates without having a negative impact on cancer detection, according to new findings published in Radiology.

Noninvasive imaging technique could lead to improved COPD treatment

A new noninvasive imaging technique can identify small abnormalities in the airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

FDG PET/CT imaging can monitor effectiveness of immunotherapy in melanoma patients

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging can help providers monitor the effectiveness of immunotherapy with ipililmumab in metastatic melanoma patients, according to new findings published in the Journal of the Nuclear Medicine.

New training tool shows promise in improving radiologist performance

A training program being used in Australia and New Zealand has been shown to help radiologists and radiology trainees interpret mammograms, according to a new study published in Academic Radiology.

Weekly Watchdog: Convictions in $20M healthcare fraud scheme

Catch up on all things fraud and ethics in the healthcare industry with HealthExec’s weekly watchdog report.

DBT associated with higher detection rates, lower recall rates among all age groups

Breast cancer screening with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) improves breast cancer detection and leads to fewer false-positive recalls, according to new research published in JAMA Oncology.

Quality

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program

Referrers want more structured radiology reports

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care