Precision Medicine

Also called personalized medicine, this evolving field makes use of an individual’s genes, lifestyle, environment and other factors to identify unique disease risks and guide treatment decision-making.

WEDI conducts survey on industry attachments

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is conducting a survey on electronic claims attachments to assess the industry standard.

AJR: Mandated CPOE for contrast media is time-consuming, but helpful

Mandating radiologists use computerized physician order entry (CPOE) for contrast media does not negatively affect the rate of oral contrast use for inpatient abdominopelvic CT, but that doesnt mean radiologists will like it, according to a retrospective, single-center study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Stage 2 MU includes imaging

The recent announcement of the proposed rule for meaningful use (MU) Stage 2 finally came last month after much speculation about both the latest meaningful use regulations and when the new rule would emerge.

Radiology: High signal intensity may not = adverse outcomes in preterm infants

Diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI) is often detected on MRI of premature infants. Although there has been debate about whether it represents a true white matter abnormality, DEHSI is not associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, according to a study published online March 8 in Radiology.

JAMA: Higher-spending Canadian hospitals see better acute care outcomes

Patients treated at higher-spending hospitals in Canada saw better overall outcomes, according to a study published in the March 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers concluded that despite Canada having fewer specialized healthcare resources compared with the U.S., Canadians may be using resources and medical technology more efficiently.

Radiology: MRI quickly assesses hip abnormalities in those with in-toeing gait

Femoral antetorsion, or in-toeing, can be measured rapidly and with good reproducibility with MRI, and information from this scan can be useful in treatment planning for patients experiencing joint friction, according to a study published online March 8 in Radiology.

Report: Data remain constant throughout health IT change

Research firm Health Research Institute surveyed more than 600 provider, health insurer and pharmaceutical/life science professionals to produce its white paper on the state of clinical informatics, Needles in a Haystack: Seeking Knowledge with Clinical Informatics.

Cloud computing could help lift public health

To reap the rewards of both new data sources created by meaningful use regulations, and new integrated systems that offer greater capabilities, public health systems must revamp their IT capabilities, according to an article published in the March edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

Around the web

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.