While the Medicare Payment Advisory Commissions (MedPACs) overall goal to scrap the governments sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is commendable, most say the commission is going about it the wrong way and have asked MedPAC to rethink its proposal. A MedPAC solution, proposal in September, was recommended by members in a 15-2 vote Oct. 6; however, most say the plan needs reworking, particularly because the proposal to overturn SGR is laced with long-term freezes and cuts to physician payments.

Barco has signed a contract to deliver 25 of its Coronis Fusion 6MP DL display systems to Labmedicin Skne, a laboratory organization under the supervision of the Skne Regional Council in Sweden.

Carolina Radiology Associates, a group of 17 radiologists in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has purchased and installed Carestream Vue PACS and Vue RIS reporting module.

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have analyzed the Top 5 overused clinical activities for primary care physicians and found that $6.7 billion was spent in one year performing unnecessary tests or prescribing unnecessary medications in primary care. Although imaging dominated the Top 5 list, the recommendations published online Oct. 1 in the Archives of Internal Medicine focused on curbing brand name statin prescriptions, which accounted for 86 percent of the cost.

The first U.S. installation of a newly designed, single-room Proton Therapy technology from IBA (Ion Beam Applications) will be at a proton facility being developed by Willis-Knighton Cancer Center in Shreveport, La.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be using McKessons InterQual Criteria, an evidence-based clinical decision support (CDS) criteria, for its Medicare inpatient services auditing programs.

Hospitalists can breathe a sigh of relief this year in terms of compensation, according to the latest survey released Sept. 28 by the Medical Group Management Association and the Society of Hospital Medicine. The State of Hospital Medicine 2011 report showed that median compensation for hospitalists practicing adult medicine increased from $215,000 to $220,619 in 2010.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is collaborating with Chicago-based Allscripts to provide EHRs software to more than 750 North Carolina physicians, including more than 150 physicians in 39 free clinics.