Imaging

The Washington, D.C.-based Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) has applauded members of Congress for voicing their concern about the significant cuts that have been made to Medicare reimbursement rates for medical imaging in a letter to House leadership led by Representatives Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Gene Green (D-TX).

As Rebecca Grant, director of imaging services at the 625-bed Huntington Hospital, and her colleagues moved through the process of selecting a new PACS vendor, interoperability was the most important factor in their decision-making. Grant explains the various elements in a complex informatics imaging environment, and the factors that influenced her and her colleagues' important decision in this critical area.

If any consultant could claim the mantle of “sage of imaging informatics,” it might well be Joe Marion, who has attended and participated in more than 30 RSNA annual conferences. Joe sat down on the Wednesday of RSNA with HCI Editor-in-Chief Mark Hagland to share his perspectives on both this year's conference and on the current evolution of imaging informatics more broadly.

Medical imaging procedures unravel healthcare mysteries and provide valuable information to patients and providers alike. However, spending on these tests has been increasing rapidly and steadily, attributed largely to their increasing volume and complexity. For Medicaid agencies dealing with particularly tight state budgets, careful scrutiny of medical necessity is becoming increasingly important. Overuse of these procedures can also pose serious health risks, from excessive exposure to radiation to actual injury in the case of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Leaders at Northeast Georgia Health System have achieved health information exchange for images, while at the same time achieving Stage 1 meaningful use, and pursuing a broad clinical IT strategy, using state-of-the-art information technology.