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.

prior authorization claim deny denial insurance insurer payer Medicare Advantage

Members of Congress condemn Medicare model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services

“It is not an exaggeration to say that the requirement of prior authorization for traditional Medicare services will kill seniors,” says Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis. 

AI model reduces false positives on lung cancer CT scans

AI model nearly halves false positive rates for lung cancer CT screenings

Reducing false positives could decrease the frequency of unnecessary procedures, lower the associated costs and also ease patient anxiety concerning CT results. 

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ED pivots to virtual radiology service, slashing CT turnaround times and lengths of stay

Syracuse, New York-based Upstate Medical University had previously relied on rad residents to handle initial reads, with attendings finalizing interpretation in the a.m. 

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Medicare proposal eliminates plan to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027

The measure evaluates the proportion of scans that exceed certain thresholds for image noise or radiation dose across 18 categories. 

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Family sues radiologist, alleging 'negligence' contributed to loved one's untimely death

The patient’s family says the radiologist’s failure to notate an obvious abnormality prevented her from receiving timely treatment.

breast ultrasound biopsy

New care approach cuts breast biopsy referrals by over 50%

Rising imaging volumes have led to an uptick in the unearthing of unexpected breast lesions, with a corresponding jump in follow-up examinations.

radiology reporting EHR health record CDS AUC

Radiology department adopts new incidental findings approach that’s closing cases at a 99% clip

Researchers with Northwestern University in Chicago detailed their novel system in an analysis published by the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

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New data challenge hype behind elective whole-body MRIs

Whole-body MRI scans may not yield the kind of early detection rates their celebrity endorsers have led many to believe.