While studies using Medicare Part B data indicate a decline in outpatient imaging utilization, a new study suggests a different trend in the commercially insured patient population. Read more here.
Adding tomosynthesis to digital mammography results in a decrease in recall rates and an increase in cancer detection rates, according to a study published online June 25 by JAMA . Read more here.
Hospitals and some specialties should anticipate the need to “right size” as value-based care gains momentum, according to analyses of inpatient trends in several metropolitan areas. The studies found steep declines in use rates of interventional cardiology and cardiology service lines. Read more here.
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has made the jump from a research technology to a clinically used technique, with nearly 30 percent of surveyed members from the Society of Breast Imaging reporting they use DBT. Read more here.
As of Jan. 1, there were nearly 14.5 million people alive in the United States who had been diagnosed with some type of cancer. By 2024, that figure is projected to reach 18.9 million, according to a report released Sunday by the American Cancer Society. Read more here.
While the implementation of PACS in radiology brought a host of clinical benefits, it came with a downside: less interaction between radiologists and clinicians. An iPad application developed by a Johns Hopkins team offers the promise of recapturing the clinical and educational value of frequent face-to-face consultations. Read more here.
Dr. William Thorwarth Jr. began his tenure as CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), succeeding Dr. Harvey Neiman. Previously, Thorwarth was ACR president and chair of the ACR Commission on Economics, and he has been a member of the ACR Board of Chancellors. AuntMinnie.com spoke with Thorwarth about his new position and the [...]
Between 25 percent and 42 percent of Medicare beneficiaries received a low-value service in 2009, with cardiovascular testing and procedures accounting for much of the spending. The results were published online May 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine . Read more here.
Oregon-based radioisotope technology company Northwest Medical Isotopes (NWMI) announced late last week that there are plans to construct a facility for radioisotope production at the University of Missouri-owned Discovery Ridge Research Park in Columbia, Mo. Read more here.
A majority of companies will shift from employer-based health coverage to plans sold on the federal marketplace by 2020, according to a new investor report by Standard & Poor Capital IQ, reports McClatchy DC. The report--based on S&P's 500 companies--found that such a change would save a total of $689 billion through 2025. Read more here.