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.

Pre-op MRI reveals additional malignant lesions in up to 25% of breast cancer patients under 40
In many cases, these additional findings prompt providers to adjust their surgical plans, new data suggest.
Cardiology groups share new recommendations for performing safe, effective cardiac ablations in ASCs
The timing of this new guidance from the Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology could not have been better—the document went live just as CMS finalized its decision to cover cardiac ablation procedures performed in ASCs.
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.

Dana Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, chief executive officer of the American College of Radiology, explains how the consolidation of radiology practices into larger corporate entities now makes up more than 50% of how radiologists are employed. This led to changes in how ACR accredits sites.

ACR changing its accreditation process in response to corporate consolidation

CEO Dana Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, explains how the consolidation of radiology practices has shifted how the college thinks about its processes.

Joan Michaels, RN, director of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT) and IMPACT congenital heart registries, said the addition of the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) registry comes at a time when hospitals are expanding structural heart programs and ASC's will likely play a growing role to help free up more hospital cath labs for the more complex cases.

New registry helps hospitals expand outpatient services for heart patients

The initiation of the ACC Ambulatory Surgical Center Registry comes at a time when hospitals are expanding their structural heart programs. The registry is providing valuable details about which patients should stay at the hospital and which can be treated in an outpatient setting.

Repeat imaging rates higher when scans are interpreted by nurse practitioners, physician assistants

The finding is based on an analysis of nearly 1.4 million office-based imaging claims, conducted by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quality

Pre-op MRI reveals additional malignant lesions in up to 25% of breast cancer patients under 40

Cardiology groups share new recommendations for performing safe, effective cardiac ablations in ASCs

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