CHICAGOA history of the introduction of disruptive technologies can inform purchasing decisions to create market advantage without over-investing inappropriately, explained R. Kyle Kramer, vice president of cardiovascular services at Main Line Health, a six-hospital system based in Bryn Mawr, Pa., during a March 22 presentation at the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators (ACCA) annual meeting.

New guidelines for CT-guided biopsies of lung nodules can significantly reduce radiation exposure, according to research presented March 25 at the Society of Interventional Radiology's (SIR) 37th annual scientific meeting in San Francisco.

CT colonography delivered superior patient acceptability compared with colonoscopy among symptomatic patients randomized to either exam; however, colonoscopy provided the benefit of more immediate delivery of results, according to a study published online March 21 in Radiology.

Some 29 medical device makers benefited in 2011 by a Minnesota program that provides tax credits to angel investors, those affluent individuals who put up capital to nurture new businesses.

Forty-nine states and Washington, D.C., already have taken action supporting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Acts (PPACA) implementation, such as passing legislation, issuing regulations or other guidance, or actively reviewing insurer filings, according to an issue brief from Commonwealth Fund.

Off-pump compared with on-pump CABG surgery offered no significant mortality, stroke or MI benefit, based on a systematic review published March 14 in the Cochrane Review. The review found patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent on-pump CABG with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest had better long-term survival than did patients who received an off-pump procedure.

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) has issued a statement recommending that healthcare facilities avoid the use of bismuth shielding for CT dose reduction.

Ascension Health Alliance, created in January when Ascension Health changed its organizational structure to include a parent holding company, has formed a group purchasing organizationand made moves to continue its acquisition streak.