Facility Management

American College of Radiology plots publicity blitz to educate patients, referring doctors and put friendly face on diagnostic imaging specialists

Medicare funding requires dramatic changes as baby boomers age and economy slides

Patient protection strategies ranging from automated exposure to flagging systems are becoming the norm This year for the first time the RSNA meeting offered a scientific abstract session dedicated exclusively to pediatric CT and dose. Papers from Asia, Europe, and the U.S. reflect that growing concern over radiation exposure from medical imaging, particularly in young patients.

A study based on nearly 23,000 patients at 1200 U.S. healthcare facilities has found that FDG-PET or PET/CT led referring physicians to alter their opinion about the optimal treatment for about 37% of cancer patients.

The American Cancer Society’s green light for CT colonography as a preferred modality for colon cancer screening is a major victory for proponents, but they are not resting on their laurels. Imaging and gastroenterology experts must gear up for widespread dissemination of the procedure, according to Drs. Judy Yee and Beth McFarland.

Cardiac CT supporters are crediting a multisociety lobbying effort and solid scientific evidence for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decision Wednesday to not move forward with a national coverage policy for coronary CT angiography.

Pro-physician forces are marching down a politically rocky road to avoid an impending 10.6% midyear cut in professional fees covered by the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has decided against establishing a national coverage determination for cardiac CT and coronary CT angiography.

The American Cancer Society has added CT colonography to its approved list of colon cancer screening methods. Released this week, the new guidelines designate virtual colonoscopy as a “preferred” test that “finds polyps and cancer” and should be performed every five years.

Cardiac MR codes grant a victory despite continued Medicare ban on blood flow measurement payment

With its 95% accuracy, practitioners increasingly choose CTA as theimaging modality for suspected or known coronary artery disease

Discoveries chart course toward earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia

Camel sniffs under tent and likes what it finds, plans to bring fellow camels back next year

Early national data suggest that Medicare’s expanded clinical indications for reimbursement were warranted

CMS stirs up hornet’s nest with threat to disallowan option for local Medicare coverage decisions and prohibit cardiac CT angiography for all but trial patients

AIM illuminates CT, PET radiation doseCovidien beats patent suitPhilips reaches Ambient milestoneEmageon revenues dropAlliance reports mixed financials Vital Images revenues decline

tudies of chest pain patients with conventional 64-slice and dual-source CT add to a growing base of evidence suggesting that CT is well suited to rule out acute coronary syndrome in the emergency room and to identify coronary artery in-stent restenosis. An initial study of 256-slice CT presented at the RSNA meeting was encouraging, but the specter of high radiation exposure—especially exams covering the entire chest—challenged researchers to find better ways to reduce dose.

Merge slashes workforceAurora plans breast MR portalData accelerator ready for ECR launchHIMSS to host InSite One unveilingsEntry level PACS ready for HIMSS meeting

Teleradiology has matured into a significant and effective element of the healthcare system in Europe. But the legal framework needed to safeguard quality standards in the sector has not yet been established, according to speakers at the 2007 Management in Radiology congress held in the U.K.

Persuading cash-strapped hospitals to commit resources for a clinical interventional radiology service may seem a hard sell. But European interventional radiologists can make a strong case by concentrating on economics, especially now that more and more hospitals in Europe will be adopting the flat-rate reimbursement system based on diagnosis-related groups used in the U.S.

Imaging dodges knife in 2009TomoTherapy reaches milestoneInfinitt triples revenues in 4Q07Planar revenues riseBarco wins 15-site contract

As director of Diagnostic Imaging's online daily news service, I find nothing drives me crazier than a slow news day.

If ever suspicion arose that the way the government regulates medicine is on a dangerous track, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is on the verge of erasing any doubt with a decision that could severely curb or halt the development of coronary CT angiography.

NightHawk Radiology gears up for plaque studyAmicas snags 60 contracts in 2007PC-based ultrasound nears U.S. marketCarestream launches improved radiographic table