Much variation exists in Medicare Part D drug spending, according to an article published Feb. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that modifying the management and utilization of Part D plans in high-cost regions could have saved nearly $4.5 billion and prescribing generic drugs rather than brand name drugs also could help knock down these high expenditures.

In complying with CT dose reduction programs, radiologists should be aware that reduced-dose CT techniques may not be appropriate for all patients, particularly for radiotherapy planning CT scans, according to an article published in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Cardiologists in the U.S. expect to use fewer imaging modalities per patient case in the future, according to a report released by market research firm IMV Medical Information Division.

Seeking to identify the key safety issues involved in medical-device interoperability, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the FDA are organizing a summit on the subject.

The American College of Radiology (ACR), AdMeTech Foundation and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) have formed a joint effort to expedite development of standards for the Magnetic Resonance Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (MR PI-RADS) modeled after a successful effort in breast cancer care.

Volume can mean many things: a large quantity, the capacity of a specified container or the amplitude of sound. But what does volume mean for the healthcare industry? Depending on whom you ask, the answer may be everything.

The first national survey of orthopedic surgeons revealed that 96 percent have practiced defensive medicine, according to a study presented Feb. 9 at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in San Francisco. The study estimated the annual cost of defensive orthopedic care at $2 billion. Although radiologists and imaging informatics systems play a role in curbing defensive medicine, the issue is broader and requires a comprehensive approach, according to researchers.

It was only Feb. 3 that the IRS released guidance for implementing the  Patient Protection and Affordable Care Acts 2.3 percent excise tax on manufacturers and importers of medical devicesdue to kick in next Januarybut the action has already reignited a firestorm of protest. This will surprise no one who has followed industrys anti-tax drumbeat, which began upon the release of a Sept. 2011 economic analysis forecasting the loss of 43,000 American jobs at the hands of the tax.