In December 2012 my wife was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. As the sting of that reality was setting in, we were presented with multiple options regarding her treatment. Chemotherapy was required, but the number of treatments was up for debate. Three different oncologists within the same healthcare system gave three different recommendations: four, six or eight doses of chemo. Even a family member who is a primary care physician told us they were all good options. We were distraught that such a critical decision was left to our own gut feelings. We felt chemo was the right treatment, but the variation of dose options hampered our confidence in the care.

As a less expensive, radiation-free form of medical imaging, ultrasound is finding increased utility in many areas of healthcare. The technology’s evolving flexibility and portability make it an attractive option for doctors looking to triage patients in an emergency room, perform rapid cardiology examinations or offer supplemental imaging for women who have already undergone screening mammograms. Its use is rapidly expanding at the point of care in hospitals in more than 20 specialties, according to a December 2013 report in the journal of the World Heart Federation, Global Heart.1

With healthcare reform’s focus on information technology (IT) as the primary vehicle for change, there has been an increased interest in this area. Health IT software has taken center stage as healthcare facilities look to implement new Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements. So, it is no wonder that the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual meeting, held Feb. 23-27 in Orlando, Fla., drew a record crowd of attendees and exhibitors alike.

Coronary artery calcium scoring, a test that measures the amount and pattern of calcium that has accumulated in a patient’s coronary arteries, appears to provide an early indication of a person’s long-term risk for heart disease, according to data from five studies presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 63rd Annual Scientific Session.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) agree with statements made by Pace and Keating, in their article to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), that women should discuss mammography with their doctor and breast cancer diagnosis and treatment may one day be more individualized.