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.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Follow-up imaging for incidental liver lesions on breast MRI rarely necessary

As breast magnetic resonance imaging becomes more prevalent, providers should be cautious when ordering additional workups stemming from screening.

AMA releases new toolkit with 5 steps to achieve racial, health equity

The "Racial and Health Equity: Concrete STEPS for Health Systems toolkit is the latest addition to a collection of more than 70 other toolkits that cover transformative medical practice solutions.

With patient safety slipping, CDC and CMS turn focus to more resilient approaches

COVID-19 has led to a quick and steep decline in patient safety across the entire American healthcare system.

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Common reasons radiologists missed head and neck cancer diagnoses on cross-sectional imaging

Perceptual errors plague experienced and novice readers and can stem from factors including high work volumes, fatigue and workplace distractions, according to new research.

Use of unnecessary imaging for lower back pain drops among commercially insured

During a nine-year time span, the use of imaging for LBP fell by 14 percentage points, with a noteworthy drop in costs, too.

quality excellence star stethoscope

Consumers willing to pay more for higher quality imaging services, new survey suggests

The findings are based on a survey of more than 1,000 potential patients, conducted using an online crowdsourcing platform. 

Price shopping transparency

Wide variation in musculoskeletal imaging charges, including 74-fold difference for one CT exam

Stanford University experts analyzed price transparency data from 250 of the nation's top hospitals, sharing their work in AJR

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Only 21% of U.S. hospitals comply with price transparency mandate for shoppable imaging exams

The maximum charge for a contrast-enhanced pelvic CT was listed as $14,238 compared to a minimum of $193, exemplifying a wide variation in exam pricing.