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.

FDA commissioner, a veteran cardiologist, highlights ongoing issues with US healthcare system
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, talked to Cardiovascular Business about healthcare spending, inconsistent patient outcomes and much more.
FDA commissioner urges health systems to strengthen AI quality oversight
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, explains the need for hospitals to perform quality assurance checks on clinical artificial intelligence to ensure these technologies don't "drift" from what was originally cleared by the FDA.
Clinical decision support significantly reduces use of CT for pulmonary embolism
Across 340,000 hospital admissions, there was a 7.4% decrease in CTPA use after referrers started consulting CDS, experts write in JACR.
AI prevents mammography positioning errors before exposure
And it can spot positioning errors in less than two seconds, new research suggests.
Frequent AI use may increase radiologists’ risk of burnout
The problem is particularly pronounced among members of the specialty who already have a high workload or are skeptical of artificial intelligence.

Hospital at home model cuts acute care costs 38%

Hospital-level care at home can reduce overall care costs, healthcare use and readmissions while still providing quality care and improving the patient experience, according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

December 18, 2019

Leapfrog names the top hospitals of 2019

National watchdog organization The Leapfrog Group has announced its 2019 Top Hospitals awards, offering recognition to the highest quality hospitals in the nation.

December 17, 2019

New protocol helps breast cancer patients avoid unnecessary surgery

“This would be a major step toward improving quality of life for patients with breast cancer," said lead investigator Henry Kuerer, MD, PhD.

December 16, 2019

Vaping leads to respiratory disease risks

E-cigarette use is linked to a higher association with respiratory diseases, one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

December 16, 2019

New guidelines aim to address ‘significant variation’ in skin cancer care

A task force developed the recommendations using feedback from several experts and best practices gathered from more than 100 studies.

December 10, 2019

ACR scores $341K grant to help close the loop on cancer diagnosis

Funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will assist the college in developing a measure to ensure that cancer patients aren’t slipping through the cracks.

December 9, 2019

‘The days of unfettered wholesale imaging are over,’ radiology expert says

The chief of the Journal of the American College of Radiology recently made that declaration in a new editorial released on Thursday, Dec. 5.

December 6, 2019

Diabetes drugs being tested for carcinogens

Drugs commonly used to treat diabetes are being tested for unsafe levels of carcinogens by the FDA.

December 5, 2019

Quality

FDA commissioner, a veteran cardiologist, highlights ongoing issues with US healthcare system

FDA commissioner urges health systems to strengthen AI quality oversight

Clinical decision support significantly reduces use of CT for pulmonary embolism

AI prevents mammography positioning errors before exposure

Frequent AI use may increase radiologists’ risk of burnout