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.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, explains the U.S. is spending the most on healthcare of any country, but has poorer outcomes than other western nations. He said healthcare reform is needed to change that course. #Healthdisparities #healthequity

FDA commissioner urges health systems to strengthen AI quality oversight

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, explains the need for hospitals to perform quality assurance checks on clinical artificial intelligence to ensure these technologies don't "drift" from what was originally cleared by the FDA.
 

Deep learning recons reduce contrast and radiation doses in aortic CTA

Deep learning reconstruction cuts radiation and contrast dose by half in aortic CTA exams

A new analysis in Academic Radiology dives into the importance of finding balance between reducing radiation exposure while maintaining image quality. 

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The top 25 children's heart hospitals in the US

Patient outcomes, safety data and physician feedback were all used to rank the top children's hospitals for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery in the United States. Did your facility make the cut? 

physician tracking patient data and reporting on outcomes

Cardiology groups introduce new performance, quality measures for heart failure

The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America worked together on the updated document, adding three new performance measures and six new quality measures. They did not remove a single recommendation from the previous document published in 2020.

PCI interventional cardiology

‘Failure to rescue’ after PCI: 20% of patients die when complications occur

Major complications are rare during percutaneous coronary intervention. When they do occur, however, the in-hospital mortality rate is relatively high. 

cardiologist doctor physician patient black diverse hypertension

The 25 top US hospitals for diabetes care

U.S. News and World Report reviewed 660 hospitals, ranking them based on data related to treating diabetes and endocrinology. 

artificial intelligence in cardiology

Tech companies team up to help cardiologists reach high-risk heart patients

Guidehealth and Story Health are joining forces to put AI-powered technology in the hands of heart teams. 

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Temporary pacemakers after TAVR could reduce need for permanent implants

Care teams are always looking for new ways to limit the use of permanent pacemakers after TAVR. Could starting patients off with temporary devices be an answer? 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

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