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.

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DBT, synthetic mammography earn high marks in breast cancer screening trial

Implementing digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in a breast cancer screening program increases both sensitivity and specificity, according to new research published in Radiology. The authors also observed that synthetic mammography (SM) may be able to replace digital mammography (DM) in breast cancer screening, though more research is needed.

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How lung cancer screening programs can reach more patients

Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) is an effective tool for reducing lung cancer mortality among high-risk individuals, yet utilization of such screening remains low. What can be done to remedy this situation?

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Weekly watchdog: CVS employee stole $2.5M worth of test strips

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

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DBT, availability of prior mammograms lead to fewer false-positive recalls

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) leads to fewer false-positive (FP) recalls than full-field digital mammography (FFDM), according to new findings published in Academic Radiology. The patient’s age and the availability of prior mammograms were also important factors.

Physicians provide better care when their bonuses are bigger

A bigger bonus size for physicians is associated with higher-value medicine, according to a recent study published in JAMA Open Network.

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More men with low-risk prostate cancer choosing active surveillance

While many men with low-risk prostate cancer have been known to undergo immediate surgery or radiation treatment, a new study in JAMA found that more men are choosing active surveillance. 

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Mammography, improved breast cancer care saved as many as 614K lives in US since 1989

Mammography and advances in breast cancer treatment have saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of women in the United States over the last three decades, according to new research published by Cancer.

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Weekly watchdog: Hacienda HealthCare to close

Here are some of the top stories from around the web covering healthcare fraud and ethics issues.