Radiology trainees giving second reads to experienced radiologists’ image-interpretation reports can significantly reduce the use of post-script corrections, amplifications or clarifications—i.e., addenda.

Washington, D.C.—Today the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) applauded the U.S. Senate for its passage of the reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee Act (MDUFA IV). This legislation builds on the progress from the 2012 user fee agreement to further improve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) device review process while maintaining its robust standards for patient safety.

Radiology is one of four medical services the state of Maine is considering “shoppable” under a new law created to get healthcare consumers and insurers collaborating for the best deals.

Numerous studies and surveys have shown that U.S. workers in every field, including healthcare, derive more job satisfaction from being recognized for a job well done than from any other top-down motivator. Not even a pay raise goes as far. Of course, turning that insight into action across a large radiology department takes a little doing.

Implementing structured reporting templates has helped an academic radiology department increase its collective use of the clear and definitive term normal. However, use of the fuzzier term unremarkable also went up, suggesting more training may be in order.

Smoothing barriers impeding radiologist/referring physician communication can better care through improved timeliness and more nuanced interpretations, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. For the University of Texas Health Science Center, this meant building a communication tool within PACS and assigning clerical staff to troubleshoot the system, rather than leaving radiologists to figure it out on their own.

Radiology’s shift to value-based care has providers considering even the smallest details related to the patient experience. A recent study published by Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology, however, shows that radiology residents are not being trained on the proper way to communicate exam results to patients.

Texting on top of phoning outpatient MRI patients to remind them of their scan appointments gets them to show up, all right, although it doesn’t help spur them to arrive on time.