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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American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 13 new topics

ACR’s announcement covers several clinical scenarios, such as breast imaging in transgender patients or staging and follow-up for primary vaginal cancer. 

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Simulator helps early career radiologists master imaging appropriateness and other concepts

Weill Cornell Medicine created the Interactive Clinical Anatomy and Radiology Utilization Simulator utilizing 25 different peer-reviewed electronic modules. 

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Radiologists demand greater transparency from CMS in Merit-Based Incentive Payment System

Docs are “particularly concerned” that the dearth of data could be concealing issues with cost measures or benchmarks, 45 physician groups including the ACR wrote recently.

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Forearm fractures present unique opportunity for radiologists to help break cycle of domestic violence

Up to one-third of adult women treated for isolated ulnar fractures may be victims of such abuse, Boston researchers wrote in JACR

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ACR revokes mammography facility’s accreditation after ignored records request

The FDA is alerting patients who have received breast imaging services from Tennessee Women’s Care amid concerns about its safety practices. 

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Radiologist preferences driving significant cost variability in common imaging-guided procedures

Stanford scientists believe the data underline the need to educate rads about standardization to help curb costs and deliver value.

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Cheaper imaging-guided alternative used far less frequently than hysterectomy for postpartum bleeding

Women who had their uterus removed via this method paid $18,000 more in hospital charges when compared to uterine artery embolization, rads found.

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Assimilating a general radiology practice into a highly specialized academic imaging department

Communication, transparency and data were all key components of the effort, experts detailed in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.