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.

Over half of emergency CT requests are considered 'inadequate'

Up to 72% of CT requisitions from ED providers could be considered inadequate according to RI-RADS, which was developed to evaluate the clinical reasoning quality of imaging orders.

FDA announces recall of ultrasound systems impacted by software glitch

The inaccurate measurements could lead to misdiagnoses or improper treatment, a regulatory notice suggests.

Radiology department launches initiative promising same-day breast biopsies

University of Chicago Medicine believes it's the only provider in the Windy City to offer biopsies the same day as a breast imaging exam.

Research highlights rampant 'over-scanning' during pediatric CT exams

Experts involved in the study caution that this increases children’s risk of developing radiation-induced malignancies down the road.

Hospital in Mexico earns first heart failure certification of its kind

A facility outside the United States has received the American Heart Association's Comprehensive Heart Failure Center Certification for the first time.

Lack of standardized PSMA PET/CT reporting hindering patient care

A new assessment details numerous discrepancies between scoring systems, which could have a detrimental impact on patient care, experts contend.

Network peer to peer P2P learning web communication interoperability

Radiology resident-led quality improvement project boosts incidental findings follow-up rate

The monthly audit is used to identify findings that may have been missed by referring providers within their network, along with initiating communication of radiologists' recommendations.

House Republicans propose reviving shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program

Reps. Diana Harshbarger and Blake Moore recently introduced the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act after bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate did the same in May.

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