October 6, 2008 – The AHRA, the association for medical imaging management, has created the Patient First Program funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., that aims to improve patient care and safety in diagnostic imaging – an important issue to hospitals, physicians and administrators.
The Patient First Program will provide grants to hospitals to create programs, training and seminars to improve patient care and safety in diagnostic imaging in the areas of CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular, as well as develop best imaging practices to share with other hospitals.
“With hospitals being pressured to lower costs while continuing to provide the highest level of patient care, this type of program funding is more critical today than ever before,” said Penny M. Olivi, CRA, FAHRA and president, AHRA. “The Patient First grants will allow hospitals to fund important programs and training to improve the quality of care they offer.”
Patient First applicants will be judged on their plan for a program to improve patient care and safety in imaging and their ability to share best imaging practices. The Patient First programs should address one reducing radiation and/or contrast dose; improving communication with patients regarding the imaging process; improving patient comfort; and improving the overall clinical pathway.
The AHRA will award three Patient First grants of $7,500. All eligible hospitals are encouraged to apply by completing an application at www.ahraonline.org or www.medical.toshiba.com.
For more information: www.ahraonline.org and www.medical.toshiba.com
March 13, 2026 
