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.

infant mortality

US infant mortality takes a turn for the worse

In calendar year 2022, annual infant mortality alarmingly rose in four states while receding to a reassuring degree in just one.

November 2, 2023
America's Top Young Scientist

14-year old invents soap to treat skin cancer, earns award

Ninth grader Heman Bekele was awarded the grand prize of “America's Top Young Scientist” in a nationwide competition.

October 25, 2023
overnight night shift attending radiologist burnout. A new policy statement from the American College of Cardiology highlights the importance of career flexibility—including the ability to change hours or work responsibilities when necessary—for cardiologists of all ages. 

New MRI guidelines help decrease call burden on off-hours neuroradiologists by 74%

“As radiology strives to lessen staff call burden, generalist triage can sustain clinical service levels and reduce at-home call burnout,” experts wrote in JACR

October 25, 2023

Prior authorization for imaging causing anxiety, administrative burden for cancer patients

Payers most frequently require PA for imaging (71%), followed by IV chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, according to new survey data. 

October 20, 2023

Physicians fight to end ban on doc-owned hospitals while AHA advocates for status quo

A proposal to end the moratorium on new POHs was among several policies discussed at a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing Oct. 19. 

October 19, 2023

Multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative significantly improves on-time starts for cardiac MRI

Such delays can result in longer patient fasts, extended wait times, and poor synchronization of anesthesia induction, researchers detailed in JACR

October 16, 2023

American College of Radiology adds 9 new topics to its influential imaging appropriateness criteria

The newest additions cover conditions such as invasive breast cancer, sepsis, and abdominal aortic aneurysm, ACR announced Tuesday. 

October 10, 2023
Video of Kateita Hasanovic, RN, senior director, clinical EHR applications at Baptist Health, Jacksonville, Florida, explains how her large health system consolidated its Epic EHR and patient medication history.

How medication reconciliation data consolidation in the EHR enables better patient care

Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida, consolidated patient medication history from numerous facilities into one location in its Epic EHR to improve patient safety and allow data analytics.

October 10, 2023