AHRQ makes grants available for ambulatory health IT

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has announced a program called the Ambulatory Safety and Quality Grant Initiative that will provide as much as $25.8 million via grants for health information technology (HIT) projects. The 104 grants that are part of the initiative will be connected to four main areas aimed at improving care through clinical use of health IT tools, focus care on patients, facilitate care quality tracking, and support ambulatory care patient safety risk assessments. The due date for letters of intent is due Jan. 19th.

For more information: http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/grantix.htm

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.