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.

The best children’s heart hospitals in the US
The annual list is based on resources, services provided, outcomes data and survey responses from thousands of physicians. Did your facility make the cut?
AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases
Experts are hopeful that routine CT scans could serve the dual purpose of screening patients for both osteoporosis and heart disease.
Impella heart pump provides value during high-risk PCI, meta-analysis confirms
Using an Impella heart pump during high-risk PCI was linked to a reduced short-term mortality rate and an acceptable safety profile.
Hundreds of MRI units affected by FDA Class 1 recall
Failure to address these issues could "cause serious adverse health consequences or death," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned providers.
Google's Gemini answers patients' IR questions with greater accuracy, more empathy than providers
Some of today’s large language models may be more effective communicators than providers when it comes to explaining interventional radiology procedures.

14% of physicians say they've had alcohol or drugs on the job

More physicians are turning to alcohol and substances to deal with unprecedented levels of stress, trauma and burnout at work––and some are even drinking on the job.

Enrolling with Medicare as an IDTF? Dot i’s and cross t’s around physician supervision, advises healthcare attorney

Why does CMS allow radiologists to provide imaging supervision at an unlimited number of sites?

TAVR programs follow inconsistent DNR policies, potentially skewing data

Not all hospitals respect the written preferences of patients, possibly motivated by a desire to report better TAVR outcomes.

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification

The new certification, based on recommendations published in Circulation, was developed to signal that a facility offers cardiac surgery and primary PCI at all times.

Mental health workers at Kaiser go on strike

Nearly 2,000 unionized mental health workers from Kaiser Permanente facilities in California are on strike over contract negotiations.

5 joint interventions for which ultrasound guidance is better than no imaging, preferable to other modalities

Clinicians injecting or aspirating joints of the upper extremities should know that imaging is a more precise guide to the target than palpation—and that ultrasound guidance offers potential advantages over aid from other imaging modalities.

Emergency overreads change care for 92% of patients with discrepant outside reports

When emergency radiologists overread interpretations of critically ill transfer patients, they discover discrepancies in fewer than 15% of cases. However, more than 90% of these second opinions produce a change in patient care or follow-up.

‘Sham’ health insurer ordered to refund $100M to FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cracked down on a health services provider accused of selling unqualified, sham health insurance plans through deceptive marketing and sales tactics.

Quality

The best children’s heart hospitals in the US

AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases

Impella heart pump provides value during high-risk PCI, meta-analysis confirms

Hundreds of MRI units affected by FDA Class 1 recall

Google's Gemini answers patients' IR questions with greater accuracy, more empathy than providers