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.

Radiologists’ public reporting of efficiency measures has produced ‘notable’ drops in unnecessary CT imaging

That’s according to the results of a new analysis of years’ worth of Medicare data, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Go slow, avoid urge to ease safety measures when resuming elective imaging, experts advise

If anything, practices should strengthen precautions meant to protect staffers and patients from contracting COVID-19, Seattle clinicians wrote in JACR.

Hospital system opens ‘first of its kind’ center offering imaging to COVID survivors

Mount Sinai Health System, located in the heart of America’s outbreak, said its Center for Post-COVID Care will harness advanced diagnostic tools and treatment from radiologists, cardiologists and a host of other specialties

10% of patients with a ‘big three’ disease are misdiagnosed

The most commonly missed condition seems to be spinal abscess, an infection that can cause paraplegia yet was fumbled in more than 62% of cases.

Radiology interest groups urge Congress to delay implementation of imaging appropriate-use criteria

Several imaging industry lobbying groups are continuing to press national lawmakers to provide relief for radiology practices hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigation uncovers ‘gross errors,’ radiologist intimidation at one medical center

The Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General recently launched the probe at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee after receiving an anonymous tip.

Breakthrough blood test detects cancers before symptoms arise, PET/CT confirms

Results were shared in Science, with experts also presenting them virtually the same day at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting.

Handing women 75 and up mammography ‘decision aid’ results in fewer breast imaging exams

That’s according to the results of a recent investigation, highlighted Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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