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.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program
Wes Folds, a PET specialist with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, discusses a new nuclear offering from IAC.
Referrers want more structured radiology reports
Ordering physicians believe templated reporting more clearly communicates impressions regarding neuro patients, which often require more complex workups and management.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care
Cardiologist Gregg Fonarow, MD, reviewed decades of data and discussed the long-term impact of the AHA's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program.

Radiologists score well in patient experience survey study at Brigham and Women's

Such ratings provide critical feedback for improving performance and an opportunity to communicate imaging’s overall role in patient care, researchers detailed in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Hospitals with higher consumer ratings more likely to comply with imaging price transparency initiatives

Less than half of provider institutions were compliant with CMS' price transparency mandate, according to new research from the Neiman Health Policy Institute published in JACR.

Specialty pharmacies offer more affordable drug prices than hospitals

An AHIP survey shows that hospitals and physicians charge more for drugs they acquire and administer to patients to generate higher payments.

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.

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

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

How to score accreditation for a radiotherapy theranostics program

Referrers want more structured radiology reports

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care