Patient Care

This page includes news coverage of various aspects of patient healthcare, including new technology innovations, what is working, what is not, personalized medicine and remote and telemedicine delivery. Find specific news in the areas of Care DeliveryDigital TransformationPrecision MedicineRemote Monitoring and Telehealth.

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What factors influence low follow-up adherence after a positive LDCT cancer screening?

Experts are calling for strategies to improve follow-up adherence among individuals who have positive lung cancer screenings after a new analysis revealed low rates of compliance. 

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Another isotope shortage looms as mechanical failure delays production

A new report suggests there may soon be a shortage of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)/technetium-99m (Tc-99m). What does that mean for patient care in the months ahead? 

Barry L. Zaret, MD

Veteran cardiologist, viewed by many as the founder of nuclear cardiology, dies at 82

Barry L. Zaret, MD, was an influential cardiologist, accomplished poet and veteran of the United States Air Force. 

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Risks of ionizing radiation exposure: Have patients been duped by internet misinformation?

The internet is a known breeding ground for misinformation, but political ideologies aside, how do popular medical/healthcare platforms hold up when providing patients with fact-based insights and advice? 

liver cancer

Radiation therapy extends progression-free survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Research presented this week at the American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual 2022 Meeting argues for the inclusion of radiation therapy as a standard of care in liver cancer patients who are ineligible for resection and other standard therapies. 

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Digitized informed consent increases detection of critical 'red flags' prior to imaging exams

Digitized informed patient consent prior to contrast-enhanced CT exams has significant advantages over traditional paper consent forms, but it also has the unfortunate effect of leaving some of the most vulnerable patients behind.  

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Breast density notification laws: FDA provides updated timeline on rollout

The proposed regulations would require all healthcare providers to offer patients a summary of their breast density that details their breast cancer risks and covers additional screening options that may be available.

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Patients' out-of-pocket expenses up 123% for some imaging modalities

Older patients, racial/ethnic minorities, women and those on public insurance only (versus private) were observed to have lower OOP expenses. 

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.