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.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program
Wes Folds, a PET specialist with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, discusses a new nuclear offering from IAC.
Referrers want more structured radiology reports
Ordering physicians believe templated reporting more clearly communicates impressions regarding neuro patients, which often require more complex workups and management.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care
Cardiologist Gregg Fonarow, MD, reviewed decades of data and discussed the long-term impact of the AHA's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program.

Adopting new model of quality management improves nursing safety in radiology

The “Plan-Do-Check-Act” approach also helped decrease wait times and adverse events, according to a study published in the Journal of Radiology Nursing.

ACC.23 Together with the World Congress of Cardiology

Day 1 at ACC.23 features late-breaking studies on bempedoic acid, tricuspid valve repair and statins

The conference kicked off with three late-breaking studies that could have a huge impact on patient care going forward.

Bills to expand nonphysicians’ scope of practice ‘rampant’ across US, American College of Radiology says

ACR labeled one recently opposed bill in South Dakota as "harmful" and "dangerous," with similar measures in the works elsewhere.

PCI with a DES: Comparing 10-year outcomes between men and women

One key takeaway was that women faced a higher MI risk than men, but only for the first 30 days.

Providers still routinely using unnecessary imaging to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury

There is little value in deploying CT, MRI or X-ray to diagnose mTBI, experts note, and it may instead result in harm and excess costs.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Breast MR imaging a possible barrier to timely surgery following cancer diagnosis

Providers must be aware of age and how it impacts a patient’s care pathway after an MRI or other scan, experts wrote in JAMA Surgery.

Dual source CT scanners shown to expedite treatment in emergency settings

Dual source CT scanners can eliminate the need for beta blockers to control heart rates during coronary CTA exams.

#robotassistedprocedures #interventionalprocedures

Robot-assisted needle positioning in CT-guided procedures improves accuracy, reduces repeats

Compared to freehand techniques during procedures requiring needle positioning, robot assistance results in fewer adjustments, even for seasoned interventional radiologists.

Quality

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program

Referrers want more structured radiology reports

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care