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.

USPSTF recommends lowering age for CT colonography screenings, drawing ‘strong’ support from ACR

The Preventative Services Task Force wants to cut the starting age for CTC and other methods by five years, and increase efforts to reach minority populations.

Cigna signs multi-year deal with Envision Healthcare to keep its 300 radiologists in-network

The Nashville-based imaging provider said the pact ensures that commercial and exchange plan members will have uninterrupted access to its services.

AMA: 4 ways to eat healthily from social media’s medical smorgasbord

With their broad reach across all demographic categories, social media platforms are connecting healthcare influencers and stakeholders across every area of activity in which one might hold a stake. Of course, that’s a good thing and a bad thing.

The 5 most common mistakes to avoid in radiology quality improvement projects

Hubris is the fundamental failure of most such endeavors, Stanford imaging experts wrote in JACR.

Radiology department uses a systems-based approach to reduce unscheduled imaging orders by 49%

Harvard experts recently detailed their System for Coordinating Orders for Radiology Exams, or SCORE, in JACR.

Needed medical equipment going unused in hospitals due to avoidable repair lapses

The COVID crisis has swollen the demand for repairs to hospitals’ overworked medical equipment at the same time it has, in effect, shrunken the field of qualified repair workers.

American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 6 new topics

The latest release covers clinical scenarios such as imaging of mediastinal masses and screening for fetal anomalies during the second and third trimester.

Offering imaging exam for free ups utilization by 546%, with key gains in underserved populations

University Hospitals Health System tested the pricing change in a bid to boost outcomes in its service area.

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