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.

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’
The startup has partnered with employers such as Walmart, providers and health plans (including BCBS Michigan) to steer patients to top imaging centers.
Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%
An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications.
American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 11 new topics
For the first time, the ACR Appropriateness Criteria is providing guidance covering staging and follow-up of leukemia, the college said Tuesday.
Enhancing STAT radiology exam order efficiency to reduce turnaround time
Raj Kedar, MD, chief of radiology at Tampa General Hospital, spoke on how to reduce the number of STAT imaging exams and inappropriate exams via staff education and additional questions of orders.
5 EHR-based strategies to reduce CT turnaround times
Simple practice changes have helped Denver Health cut the time from exam order placement to initiation by about 47%.

Small practices, individual radiologists at a disadvantage in Medicare quality pay program

“Unfortunately, the imbalance in available MIPS radiology measures is worsening,” said study co-author Lauren Nicola, MD, CEO of Triad Radiology Associates.

ACR hopes new quality metric could boost lung cancer screening rates to 70%

The National Committee for Quality Assurance is taking public comment on the health plan quality metric until March 13.

Veterans with heart disease often receive better care through VA than they would elsewhere

Military veterans face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it especially important to ensure they receive high-quality care.

Radiologists overlook lung lesion on X-ray leading to nearly 5-year cancer diagnosis delay

The controversy dates to February 2017 when a woman complaining of coughing underwent imaging, and a rad misinterpreted an abnormality as a "nipple shadow."

ACR wants Medicare to add more radiology measures in MIPS quality pay program

Radiology advocates believe the value-based payment program needs more measures to support radiologists in meeting performance requirements.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

Clinical decision support fails to reduce inappropriate imaging requests

Experts have touted CDS as a way to reduce waste in the healthcare system—educating referrers about proper order selection while providing relief to radiologists.

Automated tracking helps leave no incidental finding behind

Radiology researchers have developed and validated an automated program for tracking incidental imaging findings. The system facilitates communications between radiologists, patients and primary care providers whenever such findings turn up.

How 1 radiology department cut its mammography turnaround times by 39%

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Medicine saw its peak processing of breast images climb to 198 hours or about 8.25 days, necessitating changes.

Quality

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%

American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 11 new topics

Enhancing STAT radiology exam order efficiency to reduce turnaround time

5 EHR-based strategies to reduce CT turnaround times