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.

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.
Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey
The call to action comes from a poll of over 500 specialists at a single academic institution, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

Coronavirus is a public health emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus a public health emergency after more than 200 people have died from the illness.

Life expectancy rises as overdose deaths decline

For the first time in four years, U.S. life expectancy rose in 2018, according to new data from the CDC.

Malpractice, emotional fears fuel radiologists’ hesitancy in using RadPeer

The clinical tool has facilitated 41 million reviews since its inception, but some doctors are still concerned about being punished for their mistakes, according to a new study.

CMS updates Hospital Compare, seeks quality measures feedback

CMS is undergoing a revamp of its Compare websites, which allow patients and users to compare healthcare providers based on quality measures. The agency recently updated its Hospital Compare website with new measurement data and the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings.

Coronavirus deaths jump to 100

An infectious respiratory virus found in China is spreading and raising alarm bells across the world. More than 4,500 cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified in China, as well as five cases in the U.S.

Millions of unscheduled imaging exams may be slipping through the cracks each year

Researchers recently studied this phenomenon at one academic institution, and their findings could have widespread implications across radiology.

Coronavirus spreads from China to US

A new virus that presents with SARS-like symptoms has been discovered in China and already spread to at least two people in the United States, according to the CDC.

Deploying radiologists as ‘human clinical decision support’ to quash inappropriate imaging

Yale New Haven Hospital recently tested out this workflow change, adding a button in its EHR that allows physicians to suggest changes to CT or MRI requests.

Quality

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

Efforts needed to improve interventional radiology awareness among specialists: Survey