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.

Physicians ordering low-value screening tests: What can be done?

Primary care physicians who order a large number of one low-value screening test tend to order large numbers of other low-value screening tests as well, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The authors suggested that high-intensity interventions focused on these physicians may be one way to reduce such low-value care going forward.

High-dose radiation therapy improves survival for patients with ‘incurable’ cancer

Researchers have found that high-dose radiation therapy can improve survival for oligometastatic patients, according to findings to be presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Indictments handed down in $1B telemedicine fraud scheme

The Department of Justice indicted four men and seven companies for their roles in a $1 billion healthcare fraud scheme and announced plea deals and another charge.

Aetna, Humana settle fines for information breach, coverage gaps

Two major healthcare insurers, Aetna and Humana, are set to dole out hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle separate disputes over health information disclosures and inadequate network coverage.

DBT detects 34% more breast cancers than traditional mammography

New research out of Sweden found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), or 3D mammography, can detect 34 percent more breast cancers than traditional mammography. A majority of the identified breast tumors were classified as invasive.

Sen. Grassley asks for FTC investigation over secret hospital-insurer contracts

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate contracts between hospital systems and health insurers following a report from The Wall Street Journal that these secret contracts prevent savings by limiting competition and even increasing costs to consumers.

Should women 30-39 years old with focal breast symptoms undergo US, mammography or both?

Targeted breast ultrasound should be the initial imaging evaluation for women between the ages of 30 and 39 presenting with focal breast symptoms, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. Mammography can provide some value in detecting cancers distant from the area of clinical concern, yet its cancer detection rate (CDR) in such a scenario is still rather low.

Researchers develop alternative metric to judge a radiology journal’s impact

The journal impact factor (JIF) has long been used to assess a scientific journal’s impact on researchers and academics—but is it really the best way to measure this information? A group of researchers has developed an alternative metric based on citations originating only from citable items in the journal, sharing their findings in Academic Radiology.

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