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.

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AI quality assurance models saving lives and millions in avoided med-mal

Sponsored by vRad

Unrecognized imaging findings are an unfortunate, but undeniable, part of radiology. New advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer a critical safety net that is improving care and saving lives — as well as avoiding millions of dollars in potential medical malpractice costs.

Early PT for low back pain wards off advanced imaging, other pricey sources of healthcare spending

Patients who receive physical therapy for low back pain within two weeks of symptom onset pay significantly smaller healthcare bills at the 30-day and one-year marks than patients who wait longer for PT or never receive it. 

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Where is radiology with pay-for-performance now? 3 expert takes

JACR asked three experts on radiologist compensation for a written answer to a pressing question: In creating the ideal practice-level P4P program in 2022, what elements must be considered, avoided and emphasized?

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The best and worst states for healthcare in 2022

The average American spends more than $12,500 per year on personal healthcare, but what are Americans getting in return for those investments? 

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For prostate cancer diagnostics, 7T MRI has next to nothing on ultrasound tomography

In an initial comparison study involving 10 patients with high-risk prostate cancer, ultrasound tomography (UT) soundly beat 7-Tesla multiparametric MRI on detection sensitivity, 85.7% to 65.3%.

Family-med POCUS is growing strong, but problems aren’t solving themselves

Close to 90% of family-medicine departments at U.S. medical schools employ one or more faculty members trained in point-of-care ultrasound, including 7% that are presently training at least one (or one more).

Watchdog urges hospitals to determinedly strive for ‘excellence in diagnosis,’ suggests 29 ways to proceed

In a point directly pertaining to radiology, Leapfrog advises hospitals to have ready access to a radiologist 24/7 either onsite or via teleradiology—not only to read emergency exams but also to supply input on imaging test selection.

International, 271-point consensus reached on teaching ultrasound to undergrads

Undergraduate medical school students should be taught to visualize fluid-filled cavities with ultrasound and how to use ultrasound to guide a needle safely into a fluid-filled cavity, sonography experts advise in an authoritative new set of educational recommendations.