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.

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.
AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care
The initiative is designed to help identify more patients who may require aortic valve replacement. Brian Lindman, MD, provided an update on the project's efforts.
Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently convened a panel of industry experts, devising a list of issues with the new quality metric.
Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists
Only about 9% of images examined presented a “realistic view of a radiologist’s job," according to new research out of Belgium.

U.S. News shuffles the deck with 2020 ‘Best Hospitals’ package

The honor roll, which recognizes 20 hospitals that excel in numerous care concentrations, is only part of a “Best Hospitals” package the publication has retooled for this, the year of the pandemic.

How one hospital radiology department dropped CT procedure turnaround time by 78%

Emory Healthcare used Lean Six Sigma methods to dramatically improve its processes, experts detailed in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.

Hospital giant launches at-home COVID care program that includes radiology services

Northwell Health is sending mobile machines to patients' homes to obtain chest x-rays and, if necessary, referring consumers to outpatient facilities for CT or ultrasound testing.

Blood leg clotting thrombosis ultrasound

COVID patients at increased risk of ‘dire outcomes’ including leg clotting and amputation

That’s according to the results of a small, single-center analysis published in Radiology.

Where does your state place on hospital safety?

Maine has topped all states in two separate five-year categories of hospital safety—percentage of “A” grade hospitals (57.1%) and average annual placement in these rankings (3.63). How did your state do?

FDA set to resume regular imaging site inspections beginning July 20

“In order to move to the next phase, we must see downward trends in new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in a given area,” advised Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD.

How radiologists can avoid becoming a ‘ghost in a dark room,' take ownership of patients

This entails assuming responsibility for each individual, avoiding excuses and resolving to make things right, ACR President Debra Monticciolo, MD, shared in recent remarks.

CMS to grant hardship relief for radiologists in the 2020 Merit-Based Incentive Program

Providers who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic can now submit an Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application outlining their challenges.

Quality

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

AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care

Imaging experts question validity of new CMS quality measure aimed at reducing CT radiation exposure

Most stock photos fail to accurately portray the work of radiologists