IT certification group to grow

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, sponsored by the health IT industry, will expand to give greater representation to certain industry stakeholders. The commission is developing programs to accredit health information technology products as meeting specific performance standards.

The commission is accepting nominations for individuals who represent one or more of the following: safety net providers, health consumers, quality organizations, public health organizations, and clinical and health-services researchers.

Nominations are due by Oct. 4. Additional information is available at www.cchit.org.

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.