Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a crucial component of healthcare to help augment physicians and make them more efficient. In medical imaging, it is helping radiologists more efficiently manage PACS worklists, enable structured reporting, auto detect injuries and diseases, and to pull in relevant prior exams and patient data. In cardiology, AI is helping automate tasks and measurements on imaging and in reporting systems, guides novice echo users to improve imaging and accuracy, and can risk stratify patients. AI includes deep learning algorithms, machine learning, computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, and convolutional neural networks. 

Appropriate Use Criteria: Health IT Creates Gateway for Gatekeepers

The growth in imaging study volume has come under fire in recent years. The figures are staggering. Advanced imaging services spending by Medicare, including for CT, MRI and nuclear medicine, increased from $3.6 billion to $7.6 billion from 2000 through 2006, representing a 17 percent average increase annually. U.S. expenditures on medical imaging are approaching $100 billion.

From the Editor: Predictions, Partnering & Appropriateness

According to Benjamin Franklin, the only certainties in life are death and taxes. I think its fairly safe to add change to the list, particularly for healthcare professionals. Medical imaging holds true to form with constant tweaks to the norm.

RSNA Video: Dachman reviews clinical, reimbursement considerations of CTC

CHICAGO--Abraham H. Dachman, MD, professor of radiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, provided Health Imaging News with an update on the clinical implications and U.S. reimbursement considerations of utilizing CT colonoscopy in clinical practice, during the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) this week.

Carestream names Walt Linscott general counsel

Medical imaging provider Carestream Health has appointed Walt Addison Linscott as the company's general counsel and corporate secretary.

NYU Langone pharmacy goes robotic for medication admin

New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center in New York City has created a pharmacy featuring robotic equipment that sorts and dispenses medications.

HHS redirects 80% of pay premiums in medical-loss ratio

New regulations issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require health insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of consumers premiums on direct care for patients and efforts to improve care quality.

Rural Nebraska group breaks ground on $18M, 750-mile network

After two years of planning, construction has begun on an $18M fiber optic network to support the Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network, a consortium of nine rural hospitals and related clinics in western Nebraska. When complete, the 750-mile fiber network will span 12 counties.

Radiology: E-messaging system accurately shares radiology findings

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reported 100 percent successful communication of important, non-emergent radiology findings using an electronic messaging system, with 82 percent of findings communicated within 48 hours, according to a study published in the December issue of Radiology.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.