Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

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Many U.S. websites do not reflect updated lung cancer screening guidelines

Accurate information relative to personal risk is crucial for improving uptake of low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening, but new data indicate that many websites' content on the topic is out of date. 

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Breast density notification laws: How will the FDA's updates affect radiologists and referring providers?

The FDA will soon require mammography providers to inform all patients of their breast density status. To anticipate how the update might affect key stakeholders, it’s important to understand exactly what has changed. 

Details emerge on yet another MRI accident

The accident happened on February 23, and it has since been revealed that it occurred at Kaiser Permanente’s Redwood City Medical Center facility.

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Is it OK to delay follow-ups for 'probably benign' abnormalities on mammography screening?

Many were concerned that delays in care inflicted by COVID restrictions also would potentially delay diagnoses, causing undue harm for patients.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

The ACR is seeking input on follow-up recommendations for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Specifically, the college wants additional input related to radiologic-recommended follow-up imaging of AAA, which is often discovered incidentally.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has declared climate change as a major healthcare emergency. Sunrises and sunsets have become increasingly red in recent years with additional particulate matter in the atmosphere from larger, massive wild fires. Photo by Dave Fornell

Bringing back the sabbatical: Radiologists offer 4 tips on how to make it happen

Two academic radiologists recently shared their experiences with taking extended time away from work in the hope that their story would encourage others to do the same. 

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FDA to require breast-density notifications from mammography facilities

The administration also is strengthening its ability to oversee imaging providers and enforce standards in the Mammography Quality Standards Act. 

New practice guidelines for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors

Issued by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the new guidelines are intended to inform any practitioners involved in ordering, performing, reading and reporting SSTR PET imaging.

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.