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November 2009 Blog Posts (42)

Medicare approves FDG-PET for cervical cancer staging

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- Medical imagers can now expect Medicare to routinely cover FDG-PET for initial staging of cervical cancer, thanks to a national coverage ruling announced Nov. 10. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reconsidered an earlier decision against coverage. Ruling on an appeal, it concluded that enough clinical evidence has been published to show that FDG-PET helps guide the clinical management of cervical cancer patients and has a positive effect on patient outcomes.… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 14, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Carestream to unveil mobile x-ray upgrade at RSNA 2009

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- A work-in-progress retrofit for mobile x-ray units will debut in the Carestream Health booth at RSNA 2009. Earlier this year Carestream released a digital upgrade featuring its wireless, cassette-size DRX-1 detector for stationary radiography systems. The retrofit now in development converts the x-ray generators onboard mobile systems, which are widely used to x-ray bed-ridden hospital patients, to work with Carestream’s new digital detector. The company will demonstrate… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 13, 2009 at 5:38pm — No Comments

ACR Chair Letter to Members - from the American College of Radiology

(RESTON, VA) -- ACR Chair Letter to Members: Imaging, the Medicare Fee Schedule and the Road Ahead

"As you may know, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released their 2010 Medicare Fee Schedule which contained significant cuts to the technical component of medical imaging reimbursement. The provisions in the final rule are not what we want, or are working toward, but the proposed rule contained far deeper imaging cuts.

The final rule… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 13, 2009 at 5:16pm — No Comments

Merge Healthcare Signs Agreement with Exclusive Radiology Detector Distributor in Greater China

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE), a leading medical imaging solutions provider, today announced that its Merge China business unit has signed a Distribution Agreement with PANGAEA Technology Limited, a distributor of CCD detectors, which are an economical alternative to digital detectors, for DR systems in the Greater China area. PANGAEA will provide the Chinese DR market with a bundled solution consisting of Merge CIE™ (Cedara Image Enhancement) and CCD through… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 12, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Radiologist faces 20 years in prison and possibly $1 million or more in fines

(ATLANTA) -- Dr. Rajashakher Reddy, a board-certified radiologist and president of teleradiology company RSI (Reddy Solutions) based out of Atlanta, Georgia was arraigned this past Friday on US federal charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, healthcare fraud, and obstruction of justice. Dr. Reddy is now out on bail prior to the actual court case. Dr. Rajashakher Reddy could be facing up to 20 years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine (per count) resulting in up to $1M total fines, if found guilty… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 12, 2009 at 11:03am — 1 Comment

National Football Scouting and Intelemage Collaborate for 2010 NFL Scouting

National Football Scouting and Intelemage Prepare for 2010 NFL Scouting Combine New secure, web-based portal offers trainers and physicians from NFL teams a single view to all healthcare data during pre-draft analysis and camps

CINCINNATI, OHIO – November 10, 2009 – National Football Scouting (NFS) today announced the extension of their contract with Intelemage, LLC.

The inteleGRID™ proprietary intelligent medical image management software from Intelemage, enables… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 11, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Free 2D/3D Advanced Visualization Software for CT and MRI Now Available From FiatLux Imaging

(Redmond, WA, November 3, 2009) FiatLux Imaging, Inc. a medical software company in Redmond, WA, announces the availability of FiatLux Visualize™ Free, advanced visualization software for CT and MRI medical imaging data. The free software is available via download from www.FiatLuxImaging.com for any healthcare professional. There is no charge for download or use of the software.

“There is tremendous unrealized potential in medical imaging… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 10, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

RSNA 2009 Image Interpretation Session

(CHICAGO) - Each year, one of the most anticipated sessions at RSNA is the Image Interpretation Session! Thousands of radiologists flock to see the best academic radiologists tackle unknown cases from all subspecialties. Who are this year's honored experts in the field of radiology?

Here is a preview of the Image Interpretation, RSNA 2009:

George Bisset MD

Norman Beauchamp MD, MHS

Thomas Berquist MD

Kenneth Buckwalter MD

Philip Costello MD

Susan… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 10, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

House Passes Health Care Reform Bill, Imaging Cuts

(RESTON, VA) -- Shortly before midnight on Nov. 7, 2009, the U.S. House or Representatives, by a 220 – 215 vote, passed H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act. 39 Democrats voted against the bill, which contains medical imaging reimbursement cuts, while one Republican voted in favor of passage.

The legislation includes much of the same imaging related provisions as its predecessor, H.R. 3200. Specifically, the bill includes language to increase the reduction in the… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 10, 2009 at 1:58pm — No Comments

RSNA 2009 Hotel Shuttle Map and Listing

(CHICAGO) -- Every year, the RSNA provides free shuttles to hotels. Save time and also plan ahead by checking here to see what line you are located along. Traveling between McCormick and the city is easy, most definitely with the free RSNA shuttles.

COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE BUS TRANSPORTATION:

RSNA provides complimentary shuttle bus transportation between hotels in the RSNA block and the McCormick Place Convention Center. Be sure to check signage in the hotel lobby and at McCormick… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 9, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

"Failure to Communicate" - RSNA 2009 Mock Jury Trial Preview

(CHICAGO) - This year's RSNA 2009 will focus on a special session, specifically in the area of medicolegal issues in radiology. Jonathan Berlin MD MBA from Northwestern University will moderate and lead a "Mock Jury Trial" to illustrate and teach the fine points of malpractice issues in the field.

Dr. Berlin will address the following as cited in the RSNA news bulletin:

Has a radiologist who detects possible lung cancer on a patient's X-ray and issues a written report noting… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 8, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Radiology Job Market - Survey of Radiology Fellows and Residents on the Hunt

(NEW YORK) -- Times are changing in healthcare. Once upon a time, a severe shortage in radiology resulted in highly lucrative starting salaries and numerous job offers per resident. Residents and fellows finishing their radiology training had no problem finding the 'ideal' academic, hybrid, or private practice job with short partnership tracks, significant vacation time, and a favorable call schedule.

With the impending uncertainty related to upcoming healthcare reform in imaging… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 7, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Women who skip regular mammograms run greater risk of dying from breast cancer

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- A long-term study of breast imaging in Massachusetts has confirmed what mammographers have argued for years: older adult women who do not receive regular screening mammography are far more likely to die of breast cancer than women who routinely undergo the procedure. The findings were drawn from the experience of 6997 Massachusetts women who did, or did not, participate in regular screening and were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1990 and 1999. The women… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 6, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

New ACR Practice Leaders’ Web Site Launches Online Forum

Reston, Va. — The American College of Radiology (ACR) recently launched a new practice leaders’ Web site designed to address the clinical and administrative issues facing today’s radiology and radiation oncology practice leaders by providing the most recent literature gathered from throughout the medical landscape and providing an online forum to discuss these issues with their peers.

With its library of articles, the Web site offers insight into a plethora of practice-related issues… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 6, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

ACR’s Neiman appeals for more face time between radiologists and patients

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- Most radiologists may not consider spending 20 minutes a day socializing with patients as time well spent, but Dr. Harvey Neiman, executive director of the American College of Radiology, considers it a crucial investment for the profession's survival. Speaking to radiology residents Saturday at the California Radiological Society annual meeting, Neiman laid out strategies that could help radiologists successfully weather threats from imaging technologies and practice… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 5, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

New apps expand iPhone’s value for medical professionals

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- The number of applications for the iPhone has skyrocketed and medicine-related applications are coming online at a rapid pace. Four new applications have been developed specifically for medical professionals, some of which will aid radiologists as well as referring physicians. iMobileHealthCare has developed iAorticValve, a reference guide to all heart valve products. The information is organized in a searchable database. The application also provides access to PubMeb,… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 4, 2009 at 2:30pm — 2 Comments

Combined House reform bill may cost imaging $4.3 billion

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- Healthcare reform legislation from the House of Representatives, announced Thursday by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is ready to go to members for discussion and a vote. The bill would cut Medicare payment rates for advanced imaging while establishing a 2.5% surcharge on the purchase price of new imaging equipment. The $894 billion package combines provisions from three bills approved separately by House committees this summer. Provisions in those preliminary bills that were… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 3, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

RSNA 2009 Meeting Facts

(RSNA) - Here are some meeting facts for this year's RSNA 2009!

95th SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY AND ANNUAL MEETING RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA

Sunday, November 29 – Friday, December 4, 2009 McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

MEETING FACTS

(as of 10/22/09)

The Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA®) is the world’s premier scientific and educational forum in radiology.

Facts about… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 2, 2009 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Imaging Cuts in Medicare Fee Schedule: An Access Catastrophe and Danger to Patients

(RESTON, VA) Nov. 2 -- Medical imaging cuts contained in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will restrict life-saving imaging care to large hospitals, produce longer commutes and wait times to receive care, and cause life threatening delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses.

“These short sighted, unfounded and misguided cuts will imperil community based imaging, restrict access to cutting-edge imaging scans, and delay diagnosis of cancers and… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 2, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

2010 Medicare fee schedule boosts equipment utilization rate

(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING) -- CMS will increase the equipment utilization rate assumption used to determine the practice expense for expensive, nontherapeutic medical equipment, including diagnostic imaging systems, from 50% to 90% under new Medicare fee schedule rules announced Friday. In a bit of good news for radiology, CMS said it remains on track to require that suppliers of advanced imaging services become accredited by 2012. The announced hike of the assumed utilization rate for advanced… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on November 2, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments