Quality

The focus of quality improvement in healthcare is to bolster performance and processes related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Leaders in this space also ensure the proper selection of imaging exams and procedures, and monitor the safety of services, among other duties. Reimbursement programs such as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) utilize financial incentives to improve quality. This also includes setting and maintaining care quality initiatives, such as the requirements set by the Joint Commission.

There has been fear of a small number of patients who experience myocarditis after COVID vaccination, but a new study found it is safe in patients with prior heart damage. Image courtesy of Banner Health. #COVID19 #COVIDvaccination

COVID-19 vaccines saved 20 million lives

New research illuminates just how effective COVID-19 vaccines were at saving lines––20 million deaths were likely avoided.

June 24, 2022

FDA rules Juul vape products can’t be marketed, sold

The move means Juul Labs cannot sell and distribute its products. Plus, Juul must remove products that are currently on the U.S. market or risk enforcement action.

 

June 23, 2022
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The 10 healthiest communities in the US

The ranking, courtesy of U.S. News & World Report, was designed to educate and inform consumers and policymakers on what’s happening in their communities.

June 22, 2022
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Top 10 best children’s hospitals in the U.S.

Boston Children’s Hospital topped the charts as the best children’s hospital in the nation, according to a new ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

June 14, 2022
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HHS launches $1M competition for primary care innovation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a competition to find new innovations in patient access to primary care––with a total of $1 million in prizes attached.

June 13, 2022
The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), a related organization of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), this week released a statement on the criminalization of medical errors. The APSF said criminal prosecution is unjust and counterproductive is healthcare organizations want to find ways to mitigate errors by understanding how they happen and create protocols or IT systems can can help prevent future errors. The criminal trial of nurse RaDonda Vaught was counterproductive to safety.

AMA maps out 5-point ‘road to recovery’ for frazzled physicians

Supporting telehealth, reforming Medicare, fixing the prior authorization process—these are three of five goals the American Medical Association is pursuing in an expansive new program.

June 11, 2022
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AMA reveals recovery plan for physicians

In a promotional video for the plan, AMA noted that “after two years of taking care of this nation,” the association and the country owe their commitment to doctors.

June 10, 2022
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Image-based data commons enjoying fast growth thanks to RSNA, ACR, other contributing orgs

A multi-institutional image-data repository launched to support AI-based research into COVID-19 has been the beneficiary of more than 30,000 anonymized imaging files from the Radiological Society of North America alone.

June 7, 2022

Around the web

Alison Bailey, MD, co-chair of the business of cardiology sessions at ACC.24, emphasized that reimbursement cuts can have a long-term negative impact on patient. 

In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties. 

CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open. 

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