Quality

The focus of quality improvement in healthcare is to bolster performance and processes related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Leaders in this space also ensure the proper selection of imaging exams and procedures, and monitor the safety of services, among other duties. Reimbursement programs such as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) utilize financial incentives to improve quality. This also includes setting and maintaining care quality initiatives, such as the requirements set by the Joint Commission.

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%
An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications.
Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes
The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.
Oversizing reduces PVL when implanting Medtronic’s newer self-expanding TAVR valves
Paravalvular leak has been shown to impact patient outcomes after TAVR. Higher degrees of valve oversizing, however, can reduce the risk of post-treatment PVL without increasing the odds of adverse outcomes.
Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%

An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications.

Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes

The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.

Oversizing reduces PVL when implanting Medtronic’s newer self-expanding TAVR valves

Paravalvular leak has been shown to impact patient outcomes after TAVR. Higher degrees of valve oversizing, however, can reduce the risk of post-treatment PVL without increasing the odds of adverse outcomes.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Video interview with Gregg Fonarow, MD, explaining the success of the AHA Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program, during AHA 2024.

American Heart Association program leads to substantial improvements in stroke care

Cardiologist Gregg Fonarow, MD, reviewed decades of data and discussed the long-term impact of the AHA's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program.

Brian R. Lindman, MD, MSCI Medical Director, Structural Heart and Valve Center and associate professor of medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, gives an update on the American Heart Association Target: Aortic Stenosis quality improvement program to catch more missing referrals.

AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care

The initiative is designed to help identify more patients who may require aortic valve replacement. Brian Lindman, MD, provided an update on the project's efforts.

Veterans with heart disease often receive better care through VA than they would elsewhere

Military veterans face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it especially important to ensure they receive high-quality care.

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Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

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Radiology Business

U.S. iodine contrast supply may not be subject to proposed 25% tariffs

If President Trump initiates a 25% tariff against pharmaceuticals imported from Ireland, it might impact the price for X-ray iodine contrast agents in the U.S. depending what rules are put in place.