Week in Review: ECR 2024 | Regulatory issues for 2024 | Medicolegal cases

Dear AuntMinnie.com Member,

Day 3 just wrapped up at ECR 2024 in Vienna, and radiology’s second-largest meeting has not disappointed. Attendance seemed to be up markedly over last year’s congress and the exhibit halls and conference rooms have been packed all week. The enthusiasm and high energy have been palpable.

ECR 2024’s theme is “Next Generation Radiology.” So, fittingly, AI has been a main topic of conversation at Austria Center Vienna. AI continues to be targeted as a tool for improving workflow and boosting efficiency – much-needed benefits as radiology continues to grapple with burnout and the ongoing shortage of both radiologists and radiologic technologists. 

Sustainability is also continuing to increase in importance in radiology, and vendors are responding by adding energy-saving features to their products and pursuing lower-dose options in contrast media, for example. This issue will remain at the forefront over the coming year, as sustainability will be a central theme at ECR 2025.

While presentations at the conference may have been Eurocentric, radiology leaders in the U.S. will also find topics that are relevant to their practices. These include the AI race between the U.S. and Europe, keys to developing a successful cardiac imaging practice, and communicating with elderly patients, among others.

For full overage of ECR 2024, visit our RADCast on AuntMinnie.com’s sister site, AuntMinnieEurope.com.

Meanwhile, radiology groups may have to contend with one or more regulatory issues in 2024. Sandy Coffta from Healthcare Administrative Partners explored these issues, including pending MPFS legislation, the No Surprises Act, and breast density notification laws among others in a new column.

Also on the home front, a pair of medicolegal news items received updates this week. These include a class action suit alleging nonconsensual use of MRI scans and a judge upholding the Ohio Medical Board's decision to strip the license of a radiologist who is accused of improper patient care.

See the full list below of stories we've covered this week:

1. GE HealthCare features new ultrasound, MRI offerings at ECR 2024
2. Class action filed over MRI scans for research
3. Ohio radiologist's license suspension upheld pending appeal hearing
4. Canon Medical expands ultrasound, R/F offerings at ECR 2024
5. ECR: More anatomical changes seen on angio-CT in COVID patients
6. ACR chief research officer talks importance of diversity in research
7. Researchers create new MRI brain extraction tool for neonates
8. Clinician describes new ultrasound-guided core biopsy technique
9. ECR: Who's winning the race to implement radiology AI?
10. ECR: 3 tips for developing a successful cardiac imaging practice
11. Regulatory issues facing radiology groups in 2024
12. Radiology Partners closes $720M growth equity investment
13. ECR: 10 steps to creating quality initiative for children with autism
14. ECR: Communication key to better imaging of elderly patients