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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Reducing errors: How structured feedback between radiologists and referrers improves patient care

Structured communication feedback systems between radiologists and intensive care unit physicians can significantly reduce instances of adverse events. 

hand x-ray radiograph

Has electronic cropping in digital radiography resulted in the death of collimation?

While electronically cropping an image may seem like a harmless act, the habit is not without unintended consequences, the authors of a new paper recently explained.

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Chest X-rays alone ineffective in COVID triage

New research indicates that there is significant reader variability in COVID classifications among different specialties when chest X-rays alone are the diagnostic tool of choice.

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'Tremendous pressure' to keep up with radiologist workloads results in another missed diagnosis

The radiologist involved in the incident indicated that the department’s burdensome workload resulted in reduced reading times, saying that this made their departmental standard of double reading scans “virtually unattainable."

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Costs of PE interventions are frequently physician-dependent

“Without a clear reference standard technique that optimizes patient outcomes, device selection is based on availability and physician-driven selection, which can substantially impact procedural costs,” authors of a new cost analysis in Clinical Radiology stated.

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More than 6,000 mammograms reviewed after radiology group misses dozens of cancers

Cancer was identified in an additional 25 women, all of whom required either surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a mastectomy. 

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Digitized informed consent increases detection of critical 'red flags' prior to imaging exams

Digitized informed patient consent prior to contrast-enhanced CT exams has significant advantages over traditional paper consent forms, but it also has the unfortunate effect of leaving some of the most vulnerable patients behind.  

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Radiology quality improvement initiatives: Are virtual formats here to stay?

Virtual formats can benefit quality improvement initiatives by enabling leaders across institutions to collaborate on multiple projects while still offering their local teams support. 

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

These risks appear to be present regardless of a person's age or health at the time of infection.

Agfa and Sectra both performed well with end-user satisfaction scores in the 2025 Best in KLAS list of radiology IT systems.