Quality

The focus of quality improvement in healthcare is to bolster performance and processes related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Leaders in this space also ensure the proper selection of imaging exams and procedures, and monitor the safety of services, among other duties. Reimbursement programs such as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) utilize financial incentives to improve quality. This also includes setting and maintaining care quality initiatives, such as the requirements set by the Joint Commission.

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Radiologist skill level, not preference, to blame for varied diagnoses, new study suggests

Experts arrived at this conclusion after analyzing 4.67 million chest radiographs on patients with suspected pneumonia.

Links to 20 new and revised American College of Radiology appropriate use criteria

The American College of Radiology (ACR) released the latest edition of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria

The FDA tracks mammography systems and the number of exams performed in the U.S. through its Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) program. This is an example of the GE Senobright HD imaging system.

3D mammography approaching 50% of breast imaging systems in the U.S.

The latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration data on mammography systems installed nationwide shows DBT systems are rapidly replacing traditional 2D full field digital mammography units.

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Only 21% of U.S. hospitals comply with price transparency mandate for shoppable imaging exams

The maximum charge for a contrast-enhanced pelvic CT was listed as $14,238 compared to a minimum of $193, exemplifying a wide variation in exam pricing.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Radiologist preferences driving significant cost variability in common imaging-guided procedures

Stanford scientists believe the data underline the need to educate rads about standardization to help curb costs and deliver value.

chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

New pulmonary embolism approach could substantially reduce imaging overuse

The pretest probability score produced false-negative rates below 1% and dropped imaging use by about 20%, according to a new JAMA Cardiology study. 

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Offering imaging exam for free ups utilization by 546%, with key gains in underserved populations

University Hospitals Health System tested the pricing change in a bid to boost outcomes in its service area. 

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US Imaging experts cast further doubts about CT’s place in radiologists’ COVID diagnosis toolkit

A group of a 11 U.S. imaging experts are the latest to join this group, publishing their reservations in the American Journal of Roentgenology. 

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.