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October 2009 Blog Posts (35)

Radiologists develop scale to help clinicians predict disease severity in infants with NEC

(DURHAM, NC) -- Radiologists at Duke University Medical Center have developed a scale called the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale (DAAS) to assist clinicians in determining the severity of disease and the need for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), according to a study in the November issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

NEC is a serious disease that causes infection and inflammation of the intestines in infants, primarily those that are premature. Its… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 21, 2009 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

Imaging advocates pull off major healthcare reform coup

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- The possibility that radiologists will score a major victory in healthcare reform legislation grew stronger this week with the endorsement of a proposal to link physicians' pay to the use of appropriateness criteria in the ordering of imaging studies. The last-minute addition to the Senate Finance Committee reform bill was approved by the panel Oct. 13 and will be debated with the rest of the reform bill on the Senate floor, mostly likely this week. "This is an effort to… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 20, 2009 at 10:39am — No Comments

Moran Study: Advanced Imaging Growth Lower than Other Physician Services

(RESTON, VA - American College of Radiology)

On Oct. 14, the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC), of which ACR is a member, released a Moran Company analysis of 2008 Medicare claims data showing that growth in the volume of advanced imaging is actually less than that of other physician services since the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA).

A previous Moran and Company analysis showed that Medicare spending on advanced imaging was reduced by… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 19, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

RSNA 2009 Quality Counts

Reminder - register for RSNA 2009 in Chicago, IL if you haven't already! Founded in 1915, the Radiological Society of North America is a professional membership society committed to excellence in patient care through education and research. More than 40,000 medical imaging professionals are members of RSNA, including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and allied scientists. RSNA hosts the world's largest annual radiology meeting,… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 15, 2009 at 8:51am — No Comments

FDA Investigates CT Perfusion Radiation Dosage Levels at Cedars Sinai

(WASHINGTON, DC - Food and Drug Administration)

For complete details regarding the FDA investigation into radiation dose of CT perfusion scans, please see the official report below from the FDA.

Safety Investigation of CT Brain Perfusion Scans: Initial Notification

Date Issued: October 8, 2009

Audience: CT facilities, Emergency Medicine Physicians, Radiologists, Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Radiologic Technologists, Medical Physicists, Radiation Safety… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 14, 2009 at 8:44am — No Comments

Meaningful Use of Certified EHR Technology: FAQ from the ACR

(RESTON, VA - American College of Radiology)

The following information is provided in response to inquiries from our members regarding the “meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology” incentives program authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This article is for general informational purposes only, and is not a legal document or guidance.

Overview

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, or “economic… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 13, 2009 at 8:16am — No Comments

ACR Case in Point for week of October 12th, 2009 to October 16th, 2009

This week, the ACR offers you five new and challenging cases from some of the nation's leading academic radiology institutions to test your knowledge and diagnostic skills. This week's cases are listed below on the right.

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 12, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

OIG To Review Payments For Emergency Department Scans.

(Diagnostic Imaging) - "Payments for equipment utilization and the appropriateness of many emergency department scans will come under review by the Office of Inspector General under a fiscal year 2010 work plan." In its annual review of "healthcare arrangements" believed to "cost too much or" that "could violate federal fraud and abuse laws," the US Department Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) listed "x-rays performed in emergency departments." But, according to "a… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 12, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Interventional Radiology Resources Cover Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Interventional Radiology Resources Cover Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Society of Interventional Radiology Offers Publications, Patient Information Brochures

As recent medical studies continue to highlight the seriousness of PAD, Society of Interventional Radiology resources are welcome additions to libraries for interventional radiologists and primary care physicians who want to learn more about minimally invasive treatments for this disease that affects an estimated… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 7, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Spencer B. Gay, M.D., Travels to Mexico through International Education Program

OAK BROOK, Ill. (October 7, 2009) — Radiologist Spencer B. Gay, M.D., from University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, will bring his medical expertise to Mexico as part of the International Visiting Professor Program offered by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The program fosters international relations among radiology societies to assist with medical education in developing and newly developed nations.

Dr. Gay, professor of radiology and residency… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 7, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

RadTech News - ARRT Exam Committee Slots Open

(RESTON, VA) - ARRT Exam Committee Slots Open

The American College of Radiology (ACR) works closely with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) providing representation on its various exam committees. There are currently openings available for ACR radiologist representatives to serve on:

ARRT Breast Sonography Exam Committee

ARRT Cardiac Interventional Exam Committee

ARRT MRI Exam Committee

ARRT Quality Management Exam Committee

ARRT… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 7, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Merge Healthcare Partners with Biotronics3D, Ltd to Distribute Advanced Imaging Applications

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three Diagnostic Imaging Solutions Now Available to eFilm Workstation® Community

Merge Healthcare, (NASDAQ: MRGE), a leading health IT solutions provider, today announced the addition of three Biotronics3D applications to its eFilm eCommerce channel: Diagnostic 3D, Vessel Review and Colon Review. Each module brings fast access to an array of advanced visualization tools that assist in non-invasive viewing and diagnosing of medical conditions. All three… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 6, 2009 at 8:18am — No Comments

Weiner/Braley Self Referral Amendment Offered, then Withdrawn

(RESTON, VA) - Weiner/Braley Self Referral Amendment Offered, then Withdrawn

September 23, during the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s continued markup of H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, Representatives Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) offered, then withdrew, their amendment to close the in-office ancillary services exception for advanced medical imaging under the Stark law. Both congressmen spoke about the problems… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 5, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

CMS Lifts National Coverage Restriction on MRI for Blood Flow Determination

(RESTON, VA) - CMS Lifts National Coverage Restriction on MRI for Blood Flow Determination

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently removed a national coverage determination to not cover MRI for blood flow measurement and instead will allow local Medicare carriers to make coverage determinations at their discretion.

In its decision summary, CMS stated the “CMS finds that the blanket noncoverage of MRI for blood flow determination at 220.2 is no… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 4, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

CMS Reissues Billing Instructions for April FDG-PET NCD Changes

CMS Reissues Billing Instructions for April FDG-PET NCD Changes

CMS recently released to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), via transmittals 1817 and 106, reissued Guidance and Billing Instructions for the April 2009 changes to the National Coverage Determination (NCD) on Positron Emission Tomography (FDG).

Providers will have two new modifiers (in addition to the list of current modifiers) to consider when submitting claims with a date of service (DOS)… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 3, 2009 at 9:08am — No Comments