The Diagnostic Imaging facility management focus page provides information, videos, podcasts, and the latest news about workflow optimization, artificial intelligence, technology, radiology-radiologic technologist relationships, productivity, legislation, and reimbursement.
April 16th 2024
A new study shows that GPT-4 may offer comparable error detection rates to those of attendings and radiology residents in reviewing radiology reports, but researchers noted key caveats as well.
New technologies offer hope for bone densitometry market
January 21st 1998Once-hot vendors struggled through difficult 1997For the bone densitometry market, 1997 might be a year best forgotten. The momentum generated by the approval of Merck's Fosamax osteoporosis drug in 1995 appeared to be fading as bone measurement
Pending arrival of digital detectors prompts debate over economics
January 14th 1998The impending introduction of digital x-ray detectors is beginning to spur debate over the influence the technology will have on medical imaging. Proponents of digital detectors believe that the technology will have a revolutionary impact as the massive
Hologic revenue warning hurts stock
January 14th 1998Investors sold shares of bone densitometry company Hologic last month after the Waltham, MA, firm announced that it expected lower revenues for its first quarter (end-December). Hologic on Dec. 23 told investors that it expected first-quarter sales of
Clinical PET gets shot in the arm as HCFA approves lung payments
January 14th 1998Decision also applies to coincidence detection techniquesPositron imaging has entered the clinical mainstream. On Jan. 1, Medicare began reimbursing for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer using positron imaging. And this may be only the
Positron inks agreement with CPS, but still must solve financial crunch
January 14th 1998CPS will fill orders in Positron's backlogPositron this month took a step toward getting its financial house in order by signing a letter of intent to outsource its manufacturing and service capacity to fellow PET developer CTI PET Systems (CPS).
InSight Health enjoys profit growth as MRI volume offsets price decline
January 14th 1998New financing supports aggressive acquisition modeProspects for MRI services are sound and improving. Although average reimbursement in the U.S. continues to trend down, the drop in payment levels has moderated substantially and is more than
TeleMed III highlights market progress as companies prepare for growth
January 1st 1998TeleMed III highlights market progress as companies prepare for growthNew legislation and software breathe life into telemedicineChanges in reimbursement rules and product development are stirring speculation that 1998 could be a banner
ADAC builds high-energy imaging position by picking up rights to UGM's PET cameras
December 17th 1997Company will sell systems now marketed by GENuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories scored a coup this month over rival GE Medical Systems by signing an agreement with UGM Medical Systems for UGM's low-cost PET cameras. GE had been selling the
Hologic introduces QDR 4000 scanner
November 26th 1997Bone densitometry firm Hologic (Hall A, #3447) will be breathing easier at its RSNA booth since the Health Care Financing Administration last month published revised Medicare reimbursement rates that correct misprinted figures released earlier this year.
Charges hammer Norland's results
November 12th 1997As expected, one-time charges related to two recent acquisitions conspired to produce a $15.5 million loss for the third quarter (end-September) at bone densitometry firm Norland Medical Systems of White Plains, NY. Norland also reported lower revenues
Sales of MCD upgrade contribute to strong year-end results at ADAC
November 12th 1997Company reports good news on FDG reimbursementADAC Laboratories reported last week that sales of its Molecular Coincidence Detection high-energy imaging upgrade for gamma cameras rebounded in the company's fourth quarter (end-September). The
Densitometry comeback may develop as HCFA releases new Medicare rates
November 12th 1997New rates provide big increases for axial, peripheral scansThe Health Care Financing Administration provided bone densitometry companies with a Halloween treat on Oct. 31 by releasing new bone densitometry reimbursement rates that include sharp
Merck launches NORA study to examine risk of osteoporosis
October 29th 1997Bone densitometry firms will probably benefitA massive study designed to develop a database to identify women at risk of osteoporosis was launched this month with the backing of pharmaceutical giant Merck of Whitehouse Station, NJ, which markets
Bone densitometry market stumbles due to reimbursement confusion
October 29th 1997The bone densitometry market appears to have hit a rough patch. The once-hot segment has stumbled over the last several months as international demand slows, while equipment purchasing in the U.S. has been affected by confusion over proposed changes in
Spanish investor buys majority stake in MSI firm Biomagnetic Technologies
October 15th 1997A wealthy Spanish industrialist has acquired a 52% position in magnetic source imaging developer Biomagnetic Technologies of San Diego. The acquisition represents the culmination of Enrique Maso's lifelong interest in the measurement of magnetism in the
Medical Resources passes 100-center mark
October 15th 1997Imaging center firm Medical Resources continues to grow through acquisitions. With the purchase of six centers in Ohio, Hackensack, NJ-based Medical Resources has 101 imaging centers in its stable. The company has also acquired RIS developer Dalcon
Profit warning pummels Lunar's stock
October 1st 1997Shares of bone densitometry vendor Lunar plunged on Sept. 22 after the Madison, WI, company announced that it expected to post flat revenues and lower profits for its first fiscal quarter (end-September). The results were due to lower-than-expected
HCFA may move on FDG Medicare payments
October 1st 1997There may be light at the end of the tunnel regarding Medicare payments for studies with the PET radioisotope fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The Health Care Financing Administration last month informed members of the Institute for Clinical PET that the agency
Medical Resources adds centers
September 17th 1997Imaging center chain Medical Resources has acquired four more imaging centers to bring its nationwide total to 93. Two of the centers are in California, while the other two are in Florida and Pennsylvania. All together, the four centers contribute annual
Medical Resources buys four centers
September 3rd 1997Imaging center chain Medical Resources last month added to its expanding chain four more centers in Florida. The Hackensack, NJ, company paid $9.25 million in cash and notes convertible into Medical Resources common stock, plus the assumption of debt.
Telemed advocates win Medicare triumph
September 1st 1997Telemed advocates win Medicare triumphDepending on your vantage point, the Medicare reimbursement legislation adopted by Congress last month is either a major victory for the telemedicine industry, or little more than symbolism. The reality is
Raytel retains imaging center business
August 20th 1997Raytel Medical has decided to hold onto its medical imaging business following an internal review of its activities in the industry. Raytel will continue developing its imaging business through additional investment, and will expand the offerings of
Apollo finds mobile MRI a good risk through SMT and Alliance acquisitions
August 6th 1997Imaging services investment confirms mobile's revivalDon't cry for mobile MRI. Despite sagging reimbursement levels, the U.S. shared imaging services business has steadily improved for those players that were able to tough it out past the
ADAC reports higher revenues despite shortfall in MCD sales
August 6th 1997Information systems unit also reports difficultiesNuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories last month reported strong growth in third-quarter revenues and operating income, but the positive numbers were overshadowed by a disturbing shortfall in
Medicare expands MR angiography coverage
July 9th 1997The Health Care Financing Administration has adopted a new national policy that substantially expands Medicare Part B coverage for magnetic resonance angiography. As of May 1, the federal healthcare insurance program began to routinely pay for lower
Argus banks on regulation trend with mammography QA software
July 9th 1997QCWatch helps mammography sites comply with MQSAA California software developer hopes that the growing trend toward accreditation and regulation of medical imaging equipment can work to its benefit. Argus Software of Redwood City, CA, has
Imatron hopes to stanch red ink by restructuring HeartScan stake
June 25th 1997Reimbursement issues retard center firm's growthImatron is in a bit of a bind. The South San Francisco, CA, vendor has seen an increase in sales of its premium ultrafast CT scanners this year, particularly in overseas markets. Imatron's financial
InSight adds to imaging center stable
June 11th 1997Imaging services firm InSight Health Services has signed an agreement to acquire an existing imaging center and to secure a majority ownership in the development of a new outpatient imaging center in the Midwest. The arrangement, which is expected to be
HCFA not likely to reimburse for telemedicine in near future
June 1st 1997HCFA not likely to reimburse for telemedicine in near futureAgency's slow pace on issue draws ire of CongressThe Health Care Financing Administration will apparently soon inform Congress of its belief that any decision regarding