Advances in long-length digital radiography are creating opportunities for visualization during spinal surgery, as well as pre- and post-operatively. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Medical Systems
Greg Freiherr

Recent advances in digital radiography (DR) are increasing demand for whole spine imaging before, during and after back surgery, according to Gregg R.

Low doses of radiation equivalent to three computed tomography (CT) scans, which are considered safe, give cancer-capable cells a competitive advantage over normal cells in healthy tissue, scientists have discovered. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge studied the effects of low doses of radiation in the esophagus of mice.

Two brain metastases from primary lung cancer are contrast enhanced in the brain of a 61-year-old male. Speakers at AHRA 2019 will state that ProHance and other macrocyclic MR agents present a very low risk to patients. Images courtesy of Bracco

Macrocyclic contrast agents have the best safety profile of all the magnetic resonance (MR) contrast media that are now commercially available, according to John Karis, M.D., director of neuroradiology at the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Paragon Biosciences LLC announced the launch of its seventh portfolio company, Qlarity Imaging LLC, which was founded to harness the value of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve medical outcomes. Qlarity Imaging will further develop QuantX, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared computer-aided breast cancer diagnosis system.

On June 30, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has been designated a qualified provider-led entity (qPLE). This allows Johns Hopkins to develop criteria that meet the requirements of the federal Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014 when ordering diagnostic imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and nuclear imaging in the emergency department and ambulatory settings.

Radiology, medical imaging, is facing declining reimbursements, imaging departments continue to comprise a significant portion of the revenue stream in most healthcare organizations. Stewards of these departments are continuously looking for ways to optimize efficiency, increase patient and staff satisfaction, and lower costs without compromising the delivery of excellent patient care. Image by rawpixel from Pixabay
Stefanie Manack
Judy Zakutny

Approximately 30 percent of a hospital or health system’s profit comes from imaging according, to Imaging Market Trends,1 published by Advisory Board. Even in the face of declining reimbursements, imaging departments continue to comprise a significant portion of the revenue stream in most healthcare organizations.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposal for an advanced alternative payment model (APM) for radiation oncology on July 10, 2019. In response, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Paul Harari, M.D., FASTRO, chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.

July 17, 2019 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) announced the 2020 Experiential Learning Program site visit proposal solicitation period. The 2020 Fall ELP submission period is open from Monday July 8, 2019 – Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 12 p.m. EST.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Guardant Health, the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) and AstraZeneca announced the Lung Ambition Alliance, a new partnership with a bold ambition to eliminate lung cancer as a cause of death. The first goal of the alliance will be to double five-year survival for patients with lung cancer by 2025.

July 17, 2019 — Treating prostate cancer with higher doses of proton therapy over a shorter amount of time leads to similar outcomes when compared to standard dose levels and treatments and is safe for patients, according to a new study. 

Subscribe to
© Copyright Wainscot Media. All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe Now