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.

Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes
The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.
Oversizing reduces PVL when implanting Medtronic’s newer self-expanding TAVR valves
Paravalvular leak has been shown to impact patient outcomes after TAVR. Higher degrees of valve oversizing, however, can reduce the risk of post-treatment PVL without increasing the odds of adverse outcomes.
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.

What simulation models can teach us about treating ground-glass nodules

Healthcare providers should consider updating their follow-up interval for patients with ground-glass nodules (GGNs) detected on CT exams to three years, according to new research published in Radiology.

ACR unveils new QC manual focused on digital mammography, DBT

The 2018 American College of Radiology (ACR) Digital Mammography Quality Control Manual with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is now available online, the ACR announced this week.

Humana, Kaiser have highest customer satisfaction ratings

Humana and Kaiser Permanente were the two health insurance providers with the highest customer satisfaction scores, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Financial & Insurance Report 2018.

Mid-rotation feedback provides radiology trainees with timely evaluations

The advent of peer learning programs has “changed the game” with regards to radiologists providing feedback to their peers and colleagues. But what about feedback for radiology trainees?

Consumers rate urgent care higher than EDs in Yelp reviews

In a study of Yelp reviews of emergency departments (EDs) and urgent care centers, more consumers rated urgent care centers higher.

Phone calls work better than letters for reminding patients about cancer screening

Phone calls work better as patient reminders than mailed letters when attempting to increase compliance for cancer screening, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

How to restore meaningfulness and do away with ‘stupid stuff’ in EHRs

While it’s not necessarily the technology of electronic health records that can lead to burnout and lower job satisfaction, the approach to documentation has damaged the sense of meaningfulness in healthcare, according to Melinda Ashton, MD, who penned a perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Aetna to pay $25.5M after denying cancer coverage

Health insurer Aetna must pay $25.5 million to the family of a cancer patient who was denied coverage by the company for treatment.

Quality

Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes

Oversizing reduces PVL when implanting Medtronic’s newer self-expanding TAVR valves

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