UltraSPECT, provider of the most cost-effective solutions for meeting American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) guidelines for low dose nuclear medicine imaging, announces today its support of nuclear medicine technologists via six new grants.

UltraSPECT is sponsoring the first annual ASNC Technologist Travel Award, enabling six deserving technologists to attend the 19th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), taking place September 18-21, 2014, in Boston. The Technologist Travel Awards will provide opportunity for technologists who may not be able to obtain funding to travel to the ASNC annual meeting. The grant will include funding of travel expenses and complimentary conference registration, providing a stipend of $1200 for each recipient.

"UltraSPECT continues to support the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the entire imaging community in the quest for lowering the dose, and we commend them on the work they have done," said Yossi Srour, president and CEO of UltraSPECT. "This year we are reinforcing our support by creating a unique opportunity for the technologists who are passionate about dose reduction, and giving them the opportunity to engage with colleagues and explore the latest clinical research and technologies at the ASNC annual meeting via the ASNC Technologist Travel Awards."

Grant Requirements and Selection
ASNC is the leader in education, advocacy, and quality for the field of nuclear cadiology. Selection committee judges will evaluate nominee submissions based on interest in ASNC programs such as abstract submissions to the annual meetings, participation in ASNC live and web-based educational programs, and general ASNC volunteer and committee involvement. Special consideration will be given to nominees who have authored or co-authored submitted abstracts to ASNC2014.

By May 9, 2014, applicants should submit the brief application form including a physician endorsement, a current resume, and a personal statement. No longer than 500 words, this statement should detail how the ASNC Technologist Travel Award will further the technologist's career objectives and goals. Applicants can submit award materials for consideration to annualmeeting@asnc.or<mailto:annualmeeting@asnc.or>g. Winners will be notified the week of June 2, 2014. Full details can be found here<http://www.asnc.org/asnc2014/content_16490.cfm?navID=610>.

The Immediacy for Low Dose
UltraSPECT's WBR is an innovative technology addressing today's concerns about patient radiation exposure and improved image quality. It enhances the performance of existing NM cameras by reducing injected dose and shortening imaging scan time, while maintaining the full level of image quality. The technology, sold as part of the UltraSPECT Xpress.Cardiac(tm), Xpress3.Cardiac(tm), and Xpress.Bone(tm) products, is a viable method for achieving ASNC's low-dose guidelines stating  that the cardiology community limit the total raduation exposure to patients undergoing SPECT/PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) tests to an average of less than or equal to 9 mSv (millisieverts) in 50% of studies. Previously, the average was approximately 12 to 13 mSv for stress and rest imaging.

Additionally, the CMS-established Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program is an effort to transition away from fee for service and into new models in healthcare that will require physicians to report data on quality and appropriate use.

"The timing to support the mission for dose reduction is as critical as ever, with not only the ASNC low dose imaging guidelines in effect as ofJanuary 1st, but also the CMS push towards quality over volume in healthcare in the coming months through the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program," added Srour. "A transition to quality in nuclear medicine equates to a transition to low dose, and facilities will need the right solutions to avoid payment penalties."

For more information on UltraSPECT technologies and reducing dose in nuclear medicine, visit www.ultraspect.com<http://www.ultraspect.com/>  or call 1-888-WBR-SCAN (1-888-927-7226).