on July 30, 2012 |
Permalink
| Comments (2)
Topics: Medicare, Reimbursement, Finance, Payer Relations, Utilization Review, Imaging, Service Lines
Stephanie Krent, Imaging Performance Partnership
A new article released early online for Health Affairs last week aims at understanding the recent downturn in imaging utilization.
While the news may not surprise any imaging leaders, the high-profile article raises awareness of the slowdown in imaging utilization—perhaps the first to do so since MedPAC’s report last year.
Continue reading:
Health Affairs takes note of imaging downturn
on July 24, 2012 |
Permalink
Topics: Imaging, Service Lines, MRI, Ultrasound
Robin Brand, Imaging Performance Partnership
A study in the July/August issue of the Journal of Digital Medical Sonography showed automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) to be as reliable a screening tool as MRI in women with dense breast tissue.
The study, though limited to 24 women, does show promise for the less-expensive modality.
Continue reading:
ABUS versus MRI in dense breast screening
on July 23, 2012 |
Permalink
Topics: Imaging, Service Lines, CPOE, Information Technology, Clinical Decision Support, Electronic Medical Records Strategy, Meaningful Use
Shaun Lillard, Imaging Performance Partnership
As imaging news site AuntMinnie.com reports in a recent article, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has decided to commercialize the evidence-based appropriateness guidelines it began publishing almost two decades ago. The organization is aiming to make its ACR Appropriateness Criteria into a national standard for ordering physicians.
It recently entered into an exclusive agency agreement with the National Decision Support Company (NDSC), and will name the product "ACR Select." The NDSC has agreed to provide HER vendors with the technical platform, support, and licensing of the product so it can be incorporated into computerized physician order-entry systems (CPOE).
The ACR Appropriateness Criteria encompasses over 1,380 topics and 614 variant conditions to help physicians understand which imaging procedures to order and when they are necessary. The database of guidelines is constantly updated by a panel of around 300 volunteer physicians, divided into 20 specialty panels, embodying over 20 organizations.
Continue reading:
Commercializing national standards: The details behind the decision
