From athletes to individuals suffering from osteoporosis, bone fractures are usually the result of tiny cracks accumulating over time — invisible rivulets of damage that, when coalesced, lead to that painful break.

 

Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) is unveiling new imaging and lab results functionality for its mobile app, MyNCH, which allows NCH Medical Group patients to view their lab and imaging results with just the tap of a finger on their smartphone.

dense breast tissue

For many years mammographers have been saddled with low reimbursements. Recognizing this, women’s health advocates lobbied successfully last decade for higher rates for mammograms produced with digital equipment.  
Right craniocaudal
Right mediolateral oblique (RMLO)

United Medical Center (UMC) is a non-profit, full-service community hospital serving Southeast Washington, D.C. and nearby Maryland communities. Though rich in African-American heritage, the community faces many economic challenges. 
CDS software

In an era of healthcare reform and a push to meet appropriate use guidelines for tests, imaging and therapy amid declining reimbursements, there has been much discussion about implementation of clinical decision support (CDS) software. There is apprehension by some physicians who view CDS as technology telling doctors how to practice medicine. There are others in healthcare who are concerned about adding cost with the implementation of this software and how it will be updated based on the most current clinical data and practice guidelines. However, if implemented in a way where it is integrated with workflow and accepted by the physicians and hospital leadership, CDS has helped some hospitals meet appropriate use criteria and reduce unnecessary tests, which in turn helped reduce healthcare costs.
CAD software

The benefits of computer-aided detection (CAD) for mammography images can be a polarizing topic for many radiologists. The technology has proven to be beneficial in detecting breast calcifications, and today’s CAD software has nearly perfect accuracy in detecting these calcifications. The software has also been noted to help inexperienced radiologists with detecting suspicious areas of breast tissue that may require special attention. However, CAD has not yet proven to be as accurate in its detection of tumors, and for radiologists with a more experienced eye, the software has not made itself as useful. CAD developers are making specific changes to the software that allows for increased visual clarity, context and medical history to make this technology more effective for radiologists across the board.

Just weeks after implementing 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) in their practice, radiologists at Weinstein Imaging Associates found breast cancers in three patients that were not seen on the 2D images and the entire staff became instant believers in the new technology.  

As a result of routine mammography screening, approximately 1.6 million breast biopsies are performed annually to determine whether a suspicious lesion is malignant or benign. Of these 1.6 million biopsies, approximately 20 percent will result in a positive cancer diagnosis.[1] These numbers are staggering alone, and are just the statistics for one out of more than 200 types of cancers. As radiologists, we strive to provide our patients with the best medical care available, but what we do not always think about is what happens after a sample leaves our office. Errors that occur in the biopsy diagnostic process are specific diagnostic errors that imaging professionals must address. 
Digital mammography systems

Advances in digital mammography are evolving as clinicians look to improve breast cancer screening in women. In recent years, new technological trends have emerged; notably, the addition of 3-D breast imaging, or tomosynthesis, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011. But as technology improves, questions remain over the recommended frequency of screening for breast cancer.
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