RSNA 2012 Begins

CHICAGO—Greetings from McCormick Place. The sun is shining in Chicago, but the temps are fairly frigid. However, the excitement of RSNA is filling the frosty air.

RSNA 2012, the 98th annual scientific meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, promises more than 3,100 scientific presentations and posters covering the newest trends in radiology research and more than 630 technical exhibits.

This year’s meeting has embraced the theme “Patients First.” Most of the scientific research to be presented focuses on the impact of imaging on patient care. However, some presentations will address the relationship between radiologists and patients, beginning with educating patients about the role of radiologists in patient care and also including various facets of patient communication, from results delivery to risk estimates. Others will delve into practice management issues, from Meaningful Use to the changing reimbursement environment.

The Health Imaging editorial team will be reporting from McCormick Place throughout the week and promises to bring our readers daily highlights. In addition, be sure to look for posts from our guest bloggers Jonathan Flug, MD, of Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., and Allison Tillack, MD, of University of California, San Francisco.

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.