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.

Common methods for attributing cardiac care in ACOs may be falling short
As the United States continues to move toward quality-based care, ACOs need to rethink the way they attribute care to cardiologists and other members of the heart team.
The best children’s heart hospitals in the US
The annual list is based on resources, services provided, outcomes data and survey responses from thousands of physicians. Did your facility make the cut?
AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases
Experts are hopeful that routine CT scans could serve the dual purpose of screening patients for both osteoporosis and heart disease.
Impella heart pump provides value during high-risk PCI, meta-analysis confirms
Using an Impella heart pump during high-risk PCI was linked to a reduced short-term mortality rate and an acceptable safety profile.
Hundreds of MRI units affected by FDA Class 1 recall
Failure to address these issues could "cause serious adverse health consequences or death," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned providers.

Radiologist reprimanded for failing to disclose difficulties interpreting CT scan, leading to patient’s death

The physician's misstep contributed to "unacceptable" delays in the woman’s liver cancer diagnosis and treatment, according to a consumer watchdog's report on the incident.

Majority of patients receive unnecessary imaging and other tests before low-risk surgeries

Such low-value testing can include chest X-rays or ultrasound of the heart that add extra costs for the patient without improving outcomes, Michigan Medicine experts wrote in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Head and neck cancer patients paying tens of thousands for unnecessary imaging and radiologist reads

Asymptomatic individuals received four surveillance scans each year at an annual cost of $9,600, experts wrote in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

Time-of-day CT demand data provide low-cost method to improve radiology resource planning, quality

An uptick in pulmonary embolism diagnoses has underlined the need to improve CTPA workflows, experts argued in a new study.

Emory Healthcare saves nearly 300 hours of rad tech time through CT process improvements

The noted Atlanta-based system had grappled with increased advanced imaging volumes in its emergency department, creating a significant patient throughput bottleneck.

Developing a novel quality measure to address poor patient positioning in mammography

Patient body mass index, in particular, can contribute to poorer patient positioning, experts reported in the European Journal of Radiology.

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

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.

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.

Quality

Common methods for attributing cardiac care in ACOs may be falling short

The best children’s heart hospitals in the US

AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases

Impella heart pump provides value during high-risk PCI, meta-analysis confirms

Hundreds of MRI units affected by FDA Class 1 recall