Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
-
To identify predictors of positive computed tomographic (CT) yield and to measure the impact of CT yield on the disposition of patients referred for computed tomography after presenting to an emergency department with nontraumatic abdominal pain. ⋯ Clinical indicators of positive CT yield include pediatric age, leukocytosis, and a specified precomputed-tomography diagnosis. Positive CT results are a predictor for hospital admission. In one quarter of cases, computed tomography identifies clinically unsuspected diagnoses and thereby adds information important for patient management, even after clinical evaluation.
-
This paper, the second of 3 that discuss the reimbursement challenges facing new medical device technology in various issues of this journal, explains the key aspects of coverage that affect the adoption of medical devices. The process Medicare uses to make coverage determinations has become more timely and open over the past several years, but it still lacks the predictability that product innovators prefer. The continued uncertainty surrounding evidence requirements undermines the predictability needed for optimal product planning and innovation. Recent steps taken by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide coverage in return for evidence development should provide patients with access to promising new technologies and procedures while generating important evidence concerning their effectiveness.
-
To determine whether an appropriately designed computerized order entry system for radiology can be clinically accepted and influence ordering practices. ⋯ Computerized order entry with decision support can be widely accepted by clinicians and can have an impact on ordering practices.
-
Pediatric patients might be as much as 10 times more radiosensitive than adults. Thus, adherence to the principle of "As low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) represents a practice mandate that minimizes ionizing radiation exposure while optimizing imaging results. This symposium is the third multidisciplinary program that focused on the ALARA principle in pediatric imaging and addressed issues associated with pediatric fluoroscopy and interventional imaging techniques.