Patient- and visit-level factors, as opposed to physician-level factors, are the predominant predictors of whether an imaging exam is ordered during an emergency department (ED) visit, according to a study published online June 25 in Radiology.

Plaintiff Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., the manufacturer of ACUSON™ ultrasound systems and the leading expert in servicing these systems, recently resolved its copyright and trade secret lawsuit against defendant Conquest Imaging.

The relationship between radiologists and managed care plans is often subject to conflict over issues of payment, but a thorough understanding of contracts and timely, organized responses to problems that do arise can help guarantee correct claim payments, according to an article published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Who doesn’t love a bargain? I surely do. Scanning this week’s headlines, I realized there are multiple bargains to be had in the imaging realm. Smart sites have cut repeat CT studies and applied algorithms to triage chest pain patients. Meanwhile, advances in imaging might fuel an uptake in watchful waiting and active surveillance of men with low-risk prostate cancer, which would translate into hefty savings.

After 20 years of outstanding leadership and service to the American College of Radiology (ACR), including service on the ACR Board of Chancellors as a member and chair, and then as chief executive officer (CEO), Harvey L. Neiman, MD, FACR, has announced that he will transition into retirement over the coming year. The ACR is actively seeking a replacement to shadow Neiman before he steps down as CEO in spring 2014.

Bridger Kimball, a Wyoming middle school student, nabbed a spot as a finalist in the National History Day competition with his film Radiology: How it Has Completely Revolutionized the World of Medicine. Read more and check out the video at the link below.

The American Medical Association House of Delegates voted June 18 to recognize obesity as a disease. The move, which overrode recommendations of AMA’s Council on Science and Public Health, could open the door to improved reimbursement for treatment.

Amid growing concern over malware and unauthorized access to medical devices, the FDA has issued a safety communication warning device manufacturers and healthcare facilities to take steps to guard against cyberattacks.