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.

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Leadless pacemakers appear to be safe, effective in children with bradycardia

“Leadless pacemaker technology is the wave of the future,” one researcher said. “This is an excellent technology that may be offered to a wider pediatric population."

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AI predicts the likelihood of a common TAVR complication

Many patients still require a permanent pacemaker following TAVR. In fact, it is more common after TAVR than after surgical aortic valve replacement. 

Sunil Rao, MD, FSCAI, 2022-23 President of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), and director of interventional cardiology NYU Langone, explains efforts by SCAI to address the shift in interventional procedures from hospitals to less expensive ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).

Maintaining quality is key as more cardiac procedures migrate to outpatient ASCs

SCAI President Sunil Rao, MD, discussed the group's efforts to address the shift in interventional procedures from hospitals to less expensive ambulatory surgical centers.

Boston Scientific Acurate neo2 TAVR

ACURATE neo2 valve linked to successful commissural alignment during TAVR

The new Boston Scientific valve received CE mark approval in 2020, but has not been approved by the FDA.

artificial intelligence AI deep learning

Cardiologists find AI to be more accurate than sonographers at interpreting echocardiograms

Overall, cardiologists made corrections to 16.8% of AI-generated assessments and 27.2% of sonographer assessments.

Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 glucose monitor

Abbott warns that device batteries may overheat or catch fire

The company emphasized that the issues are quite rare. No devices are being recalled, and it is not recommended that customers stop using them. 

Medicare money payment physician

TAVR costs vary significantly from one hospital to the next

According to a new study of more than 119,000 hospitalizations, the costs associated with TAVR are far from consistent. 

PCI

Transradial access should be ‘default strategy’ for PCI, new study confirms

Researchers explored data from nearly 25,000 PCI procedures, tracking the outcomes of patients treated with transradial access and transfemoral access. 

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

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.