Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) coupled with on-board cone-beamCT are delivering dramatic improvements in the radiation therapyprocess. By carefully pairing images and treatment, IGRT and cone-beamCT allow radiation oncologists to increase the dose, spare more normaltissue, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, has asked Department of Health and HumanServices’ inspector general to investigate the Feb. 23 theft of aNational Institutes of Health (NIH) laptop, after revealing that he isamong those approximately 3,000 heart patients whose medicalinformation was potentially exposed.

The Department of Health & Human Services Secretary MikeLeavitt appointed seven new members to serve on the National AdvisoryCouncil for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin on-sitereviews of hospitals’ compliance with security rules mandated by HIPAA,established in 1996.

California hospitals are charging private insurers and patientsdramatically different prices, even after considering factors like thenumber of uninsured and the severity of illness, according to a studyconducted by consulting firm Milliman.

While some medical groups have issued warnings against overusing CTexams—especially for children—due to concerns for radiation exposureand increased cancer risk, some industry experts have expressed theirconcerns about frightening patients away from the invaluable tests.

Spire Corporation, a photovoltaic product maker, has landed nearly a$100,000 contract from U.S. Army Research Development and EngineeringCommand, to support development of a solid-state device that companyofficials say could be the future of medical imaging and security.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded twocontracts to Highmark Medicare Services and Palmetto GBA for thecombined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment inseven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.