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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been one of the biggest stories in healthcare for years, but many clinicians still remain unsure about how, exactly, they should be using AI to help their patients. A new analysis in European Heart Journal explored that exact issue, providing cardiology professionals with a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the most out of this potentially game-changing technology.

AI in cardiology: A step-by-step guide to developing high-quality algorithms

Overwhelmed or confused by AI and machine learning technology? A new analysis in European Heart Journal hopes to provide some clarity. 

January 24, 2023
An example if an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD and its leads connected to the heart. As the leads or deveice wears out, there are recommendations to remove the leads and put in new ones. The most common causes of mortality during transvenous lead removal (TLR) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are infection and decompensated heart failure, according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.Image courtesy of RSNA

Infection, heart failure the most common reasons for early mortality after transvenous lead removal

Early mortality specifically related to complications during the TLR procedure was quite rare. 

January 20, 2023
The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), a related organization of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), this week released a statement on the criminalization of medical errors. The APSF said criminal prosecution is unjust and counterproductive is healthcare organizations want to find ways to mitigate errors by understanding how they happen and create protocols or IT systems can can help prevent future errors. The criminal trial of nurse RaDonda Vaught was counterproductive to safety.

Healthcare workers are unhappy with their pay

Just over half of healthcare workers believe they are paid fairly for their work.

January 20, 2023
Covid vaccine

Johnson & Johnson’s HIV vaccine trial fails

Johnson & Johnson has discontinued its Mosaico clinical trial that aimed to protect against HIV after its Phase 3 study revealed the regiment was safe but ineffective.

January 19, 2023
Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School boycotts US News & World Report rankings

Harvard Medical School, currently ranked the No. 1 medical school in the United States, has withdrawn from submitting data to U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of the best medical schools.

January 18, 2023

Deep learning slashes real-world MRI scan times

Accelerated MRI with AI image reconstruction nearly halved orthopedic scan times while maintaining or even improving image quality in a newly published prospective study. 

January 18, 2023

Do non-physician providers request contrast-enhanced imaging more often?

The growing presence of non-physician practitioners has created an increased demand for contrast-enhanced imaging, according to new data.

January 17, 2023
The FDA tracks mammography systems and the number of exams performed in the U.S. through its Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) program. This is an example of the GE Senobright HD imaging system.

Cancer deaths have dropped dramatically

Cancer mortality rates have plunged, dropping one-third, since the 1990s, according to a recent report from the American Cancer Society.

January 16, 2023