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.

FDA issues a cybersecurity warning: DNA sequencing software is vulnerable to attacks

While there haven’t been any reports of a cybersecurity threat, the vulnerability could allow an unauthorized user to take control of the medical device remotely, alter settings on the systems and even impact patient test results, according to the FDA.

Potential $1.5B effort kicks off to study low-dose radiation risks

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have released a report estimating $100 million will be needed for each of the next 15 years to learn how exposure to low doses of radiation affect human health.

Skyrocketing rates of head CT in the ED: Don’t look at advanced practice providers

The meteoric rise of noncontrast head CT in emergency settings is not explained by the conspicuous proliferation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the ED.

GE, Philips, Siemens pass academic test on low-dose DECT

Comparing six dual-energy CT technologies marketed by three scanner manufacturers, radiology researchers have found all models helpful in determining the chemical composition of kidney stones even at substantially reduced radiation doses.

Crowdsourced X-rays suitable for training AI in orthopedic injuries

The Internet is an acceptable source of images for training algorithms to automatically triage patients with dislocated joints and similar orthopedic emergencies. 

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4 increasingly common uses for imaging AI in the ED

As FDA-approved AI software continues to proliferate in radiology—well more than 150 products to date and rising—a trio of Yale radiologists has compiled a status report focused on AI applications available to, specifically, emergency radiology.

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EHR alerts boost care for patients with HFrEF

Simple EHR alerts helped one health system get more guideline-recommended medications to its heart failure patients.

Survival on the rise among high-risk pulmonary embolism patients

The study's authors examined data from more than 1.4 million patients, noting that pulmonary embolism response teams appear to be playing a significant role.