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.

Law change alone not enough to close abnormal imaging-findings care gap, study finds

That’s according to a new analysis of care at one imaging department since Pennsylvania passed the “Patient Test Result Information Act" in 2018.

Survey explores the top 3 quality metrics on radiology practices’ radars, and how they’re used

Turnaround time is radiology groups' most commonly used quality metric, according to a preliminary survey of nearly 200 providers.

Radiologist house-call program drops ED visits by 77%, with patient satisfaction scores soaring

Hospital readmissions have also plummeted by 50% among a population of more than 1,000 seniors, experts detailed during the Society of Interventional Radiology’s virtual meeting.

Retracted hydroxychloroquine study leads health journals to rethink data sharing

Two major journals in the healthcare space are reviewing what happened and how to move forward with data requirements after a controversial study on the impact of hydroxychloroquine led to a retraction and backlash.

Citing ‘anxiety’ as a risk for screening mammography is ‘benevolent sexism,’ expert says

As the debate continues over whether women should receive regular breast cancer screenings before age 50, one expert believes it’s time to put a common excuse to rest.

3 authors of controversial hydroxychloroquine study retract paper

Three authors of a research study on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients published in The Lancet have retracted their paper after it was met with backlash and scientific questions.

Accreditors should not punish radiologists, other docs for seeking mental health support, advocates say

The Society of Interventional Radiology, American Medical Association and others made their case for compassion in a recently released joint statement.

Scientists, physicians question research on hydroxychloroquine

A group consisting of 140 scientists and physicians has spoken out against a study published in The Lancet that found an association between the use of the drug hydroxychloroquine and a higher death rate among COVID-19 patients.

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