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.

AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care
The initiative is designed to help identify more patients who may require aortic valve replacement. Brian Lindman, MD, provided an update on the project's efforts.
Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently convened a panel of industry experts, devising a list of issues with the new quality metric.
Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists
Only about 9% of images examined presented a “realistic view of a radiologist’s job," according to new research out of Belgium.
Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey
The call to action comes from a poll of over 500 specialists at a single academic institution, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
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.

Study ranks US health system dead last among wealthy nations

Low rankings for accessibility and outcomes earned the country the overall lowest ranking in an analysis of healthcare systems across 10 nations.

Hospital quality improvement project aims to reduce radiologists’ administrative burden

The University of Toronto has standardized processes related to multidisciplinary conferences, hoping to provide relief for participating abdominal specialists.

Deep learning denoising produces quality trauma head CT images at 25% of the radiation dose

Denoising algorithm produces quality trauma head CTs at a fraction of the radiation dose

Radiation doses needed for quality head CT scans in trauma settings can be reduced by as much as 75% using DL-based denoising.

American College of Radiology ‘strongly disagrees’ with making CMS payment model mandatory

The feds see this as a way of increasing specialist engagement in value-based care and bolstering their collaboration with PCPs and Medicare beneficiaries.

time is brain stroke care hour glass clock turnaround

AI triage system fails to improve radiologist performance or turnaround times

Commercially available software for intracranial hemorrhage detection did not appear to hold up in a prospective, single-center study, experts write in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

UnitedHealthcare releases details on new ‘gold card’ program impacting over 100 radiology CPT codes

One physician criticized UHC's effort to reduce the burden of prior authorization, calling it a "good PR project."

White patients undergo higher rates of diagnostic imaging in the ED than their black counterparts

Previous studies have demonstrated that imaging overuse is pervasive in the ED, with “defensive medicine” a common reason, experts wrote in JAMA Network Open.

'Critical' oversight of 7 factors increases contrast waste

Since the onset of the iodinated contrast shortage in 2022, countless tactics have been deployed to optimize use of the imaging agent, but many have been overlooked.

Quality

AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care

Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure

Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists

Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey

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