Overhauling the American health care system has taken a methodical approach to reorganization, changing payments models and updating clinical products. Electronic health records and PACS have been improved upon to enhance physician performance, but practice management needs to be enhanced for advancement to take shape.
At the annual meeting of the The Association for Medical Imaging Management, held in Washington, D.C., the push for evidence-based medicine was covered extensively by the presenters. Lynn McVey, COO of Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, discussed the metrics required to identify issues in practice management that could interfere with improving clinical services.
"Out of 198 nations, we are No. 65 in terms of our health care quality," said McVey, quoted by AuntMinnie.com.. "And we rank No. 1 in spending the most money on health care. To correct this, we need evidence-based care and management."
In the past, medical practices relied on professional experience and opinion to make any necessary changes or improvements. However, the Digital Age calls for more emphasis on data collection and analysis, given the advent of products like EHRs. While utilizing evidence can take more time and critical thinking, it will ultimately serve to better diagnostic imaging practices.
One such method of improvement could be implementing a radiation safety program to oversee dose management.
What providers need to know
According to Diagnostic Imaging, safety concern over radiation-induced cancers has led to legislation that mitigates dosages. Speaking at AHRA, Shawn McKenzie, CEO of Ascendian Healthcare Consulting, outlined the information needed to establish an effective dose management program.
Improving radiation safety has to be a group effort that includes a committee of key stakeholders from the facility. Issues like risk management, information technology and education opportunities must be discussed among the participants to determine the appropriate course of action. While dose management starts specifically with radiology, it can be spread to other departments so that all members of the facility are making positive changes.
Radiologists should use their current workflows as a baseline for developing dose management protocols. They can get a view of the bigger picture by examining health information stored on both PACS and EHRs to decide what efficiencies need to be put in place to implement the new program. Integrating the two software models might serve to condense and facilitate the process, collecting copious data that can be used to effectively manage future radiation doses.
Contact Viztek for more information.
Ronny Bachrach
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