2010 February

Recent requirements from the Joint Commission and the American College of Radiology (ACR) add to the growing number of quality demands being placed upon radiology departments. In an increasingly complex regulatory and financial environment, comprehensive quality management processes are essential. The digital dashboard holds the answers to today's problems if you only you dare to fully utilize them.

You cant manage what you dont measure. The old adage couldnt be more accurate today in the world of imaging. You cant manage for improvements if you dont measure to see what is getting better and what isnt.

While the technology behind cardiac advanced visualization (AV) can create some amazing images, it provides much more than just a wow factor. Radiologists and cardiologists rely on it to help them increase productivity and workflow and reduce costs, diagnose more quickly and accurately, and better communicate results with referring physicians and their patients.

While perfecting the ergonomics of the radiology reading room has long been a topic of research and debateand a continuing work in progressversatility and flexibility are the key components to ensuring comfort and thus better productivity for radiologists with different wants and needs.

As the economy has soured and facilities investigate new ways to cut costs, many have turned to outsourcing their radiology needs via remote reading services. Able to provide expert remote reads and reports, teleradiology can cut the costs linked to staffing in-house radiologists during overnight, weekend or off-hours when patient volume is often slim. Yet, cost efficiency should never trump quality of patient care, and newer services do not require that trade-off.

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