Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

ACR working with FDA and HHS to help address imaging contrast shortage

The American College of Radiology (ACR) announced this week its government relations staff has been engaging federal agencies in an effort to improve product availability and hasten resolution of the ongoing iodine contrast shortage.

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LVAD patients spend nearly 1 in 4 days seeking care — is there a more effective way?

The study's authors noted that LVADs consistently lead to strong outcomes, but improvements are still needed to reduce the burden on patients. 

The FDFA has cleared tirzepatide (Mounjaro) from Eli Lilly for the treatment of diabetes.

FDA approves tirzepatide, Eli Lilly’s new type 2 diabetes drug, and the company shares an estimated price

The medication, sold under the name Mounjaro, will be available in six different doses and come in an auto-injector pen.

A comparison between a traditional iodine contrast angiogram (left), and a gadolinium contrast angiogram (right). MRI gadolinium contrast is starting to be used in some interventional radiology procedures and is being considered in interventional cardiology due to the iodine contrast shortage.

Gadolinium can be used as substitute for iodine contrast in some interventional imaging procedures

Gadolinium might be an alternative, stop-gap solution for interventional procedures during the current iodine contrast shortage.

Addressing contrast media shortage in the short, mid and long term

“We need to commit to changing the supply chain so that a single event in a faraway country does not put us in this predicament again," experts wrote in a new special report shared by Radiology.

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Medical device company raises $23M for fully absorbable vessel closure patches

Vivasure Medical will use the funds to advance clinical development and attempt to secure regulatory approval of its vessel closure devices.

GE provides update on contrast media shortage

The COVID lockdowns at the Shanghai plant began on March 31, and although the plant there has since resumed operations, they are not yet at 100% capacity.

Cardiologist allegedly created and sold ransomware tools to hackers

One of the cardiologist's creations, "Thanos," allowed his clients to develop their own ransomware software and rent it out to other criminals. 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.