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.

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’
The startup has partnered with employers such as Walmart, providers and health plans (including BCBS Michigan) to steer patients to top imaging centers.
Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%
An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications.
American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 11 new topics
For the first time, the ACR Appropriateness Criteria is providing guidance covering staging and follow-up of leukemia, the college said Tuesday.
Enhancing STAT radiology exam order efficiency to reduce turnaround time
Raj Kedar, MD, chief of radiology at Tampa General Hospital, spoke on how to reduce the number of STAT imaging exams and inappropriate exams via staff education and additional questions of orders.
5 EHR-based strategies to reduce CT turnaround times
Simple practice changes have helped Denver Health cut the time from exam order placement to initiation by about 47%.

‘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.

Diabetes drugs being tested for carcinogens

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

ACR, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and GE Healthcare team to tackle false positives

“Early detection remains key to improving breast cancer outcomes and our collective goal is to optimize critical tools for diagnosis," said Dorraya El-Ashry, PhD, chief scientific officer for the BCRF.

Americans see fewer problems in the US healthcare system

Americans are feeling slightly more optimistic about the U.S. healthcare system, according to the latest Gallup poll that found fewer described the system as having major problems.

Google fires four employees over data sharing

Google fired four staffers for sharing sensitive information, some of whom were involved in recent protests over leadership, CNBC reported.

Every-other-year mammography screenings result in larger tumors, more aggressive treatment

Wanting to quash this confusion for providers and patients, researchers from the University of Michigan compared outcomes for dozens of diagnosed women.

Hundreds of CT scans went unread at one medical center, fueled partly by overworked radiologist: Report

Almost 2,000 images gathered dust for years at Walter Reed, delaying treatment for at least one veteran, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Reducing patients’ stress when wearing masks for head and neck cancer screenings: 3 tips

Requiring head and neck cancer patients to wear masks during treatment can cause significant anxiety, which can also spread to radiology staffers taking part in treatment.

Quality

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%

American College of Radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 11 new topics

Enhancing STAT radiology exam order efficiency to reduce turnaround time

5 EHR-based strategies to reduce CT turnaround times