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.

 Drug-coated balloons were associated with a lower risk of bleeding after PCI than drug-eluting stents, the study's authors reported. 

Interventional cardiologists can safely perform PCI without on-site surgical backup

The finding comes from a new expert consensus statement published by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Several industry societies, including the ACC and AHA, have endorsed the document. 

January 30, 2023
As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption expands in radiology, there is growing concern that AI algorithms needs to undergo quality assurance (QA) reviews. How to validate radiology AI? How can you validate medical imaging AI?

Cardiologists use video-based AI model to ID coronary artery disease

A team of specialists out of Cedars-Sinai developed the deep learning model using TTEs from nearly 3,000 patients.

January 26, 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been one of the biggest stories in healthcare for years, but many clinicians still remain unsure about how, exactly, they should be using AI to help their patients. A new analysis in European Heart Journal explored that exact issue, providing cardiology professionals with a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the most out of this potentially game-changing technology.

AI in cardiology: A step-by-step guide to developing high-quality algorithms

Overwhelmed or confused by AI and machine learning technology? A new analysis in European Heart Journal hopes to provide some clarity. 

January 24, 2023
An example if an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD and its leads connected to the heart. As the leads or deveice wears out, there are recommendations to remove the leads and put in new ones. The most common causes of mortality during transvenous lead removal (TLR) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are infection and decompensated heart failure, according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.Image courtesy of RSNA

Infection, heart failure the most common reasons for early mortality after transvenous lead removal

Early mortality specifically related to complications during the TLR procedure was quite rare. 

January 20, 2023
hospital ward

How cardiologists can improve in-hospital outcomes after PCI

Researchers evaluated if two recently developed risk scores can anticipate adverse in-hospital outcomes after PCI, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

January 16, 2023
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Simulations help 'accelerate the TEE learning curve' for cardiology trainees

Simulation-based training can help cardiology fellows improve their TTE abilities, even when instructors or equipment are in short supply. 

January 11, 2023
hospital ward

Why cardiologists should pay close attention to rehospitalizations after TAVR or SAVR

A new analysis in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions examined rehospitalization rates after AVR, noting that they are consistently associated with worse outcomes and a higher risk of patient mortality.

January 6, 2023
Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, vice dean for diversity and inclusion, chief of cardiology in the Department of Medicine, and a professor of medicine in cardiology and medical social sciences at Northwestern Medicine, discusses health equity issues in cardiology at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2022 meeting.

VIDEO: Health equity and diversity is a business model

Clyde Yancy, MD, vice dean for diversity and inclusion, chief of cardiology, and a professor of medicine in cardiology and medical social sciences at Northwestern Medicine, discusses health equity issues and how greater inclusion should be a business model because of changing demographics.

January 3, 2023

Around the web

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

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup