Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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The content and prose method of radiology reporting has remained essentially unchanged for more than 100 years. By leveraging current technologies, the radiology report has the potential to be a multifunctional document providing information in a number of areas including business analytics, quality assurance and safety, regulatory reporting, research and billing. Maturation and adoption of speech recognition, the development of radiology controlled terminologies and standardized reporting templates now allow for the introduction of structured reporting into the clinical setting.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2012
ReviewThe resource-based relative value scale and neuroradiology: ASNR's history at the RUC.
The Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) has been the defining algorithm for professional reimbursement of medical services since its introduction in 1992. This article reviews the history of the RBRVS, with an emphasis on the integral involvement of the radiology and neuroradiology communities. Appropriate reimbursement of radiology procedures has been chaperoned by physician volunteers and society staff attending Current Procedural Terminology Panel meetings and American Medical Association/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) meetings. In recent years, governmental and RUC initiatives have created an unfavorable environment for neuroradiologists to maintain reimbursement levels seen previously.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2012
ReviewMedicolegal hazards: potential pitfalls for neuroimagers.
One of the major pitfalls faced by physicians is a basic lack of understanding of the legal aspects of medical malpractice. It is the authors' hope that the brief review of the history of malpractice law provided here affords the radiologist insights that could prove helpful in understanding how one must conduct oneself in a radiology practice. ⋯ Vigilance and minimizing errors is always most desirable, but error-free neuroradiology is unattainable. Best medical judgment, although not error free, is at least defensible as noted in the case law discussed here.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2012
ReviewAccountable care organizations for neuroradiologists: threats and opportunities.
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are one of the more interesting and (perhaps) highest impact components of the 2010 Federal health care bill. Neuroradiologists should examine them carefully for opportunities to participate and contribute to ACOs as well as to understand the potential threats. ⋯ All specialists should pay close attention to the evolution of ACOs. It seems likely that many of their features will come to pass during the coming decades with substantial impact on the profession.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2012
Review Comparative StudyCombating overutilization: radiology benefits managers versus order entry decision support.
Radiology benefits managers (RBMs) and computerized decision support offer different advantages and disadvantages in the efforts to provide appropriate use of radiology resources. RBMs are effective in their hard-stop ability to reject inappropriate studies, incur a significant cost, and interpose an intermediary between patient and physician. Decision support is a more friendly educational product, but has not been implemented for all clinical indications and its efficacy is still being studied.