Dear AuntMinnie Member,
A report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) found evidence of "tensions" between interventional radiology (IR) and vascular surgery departments at a facility in Salt Lake City. But it was not the cause of four patient deaths that occurred at the hospital over a nine-month period, the authors concluded.
The VA's Office of Inspector General began an investigation of the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System after getting a complaint regarding the four deaths, according to an article by contributing writer Donna Domino in our Digital X-Ray Community. The complaint also cited a rising number of amputations at the facility.
But while the investigation found signs of tension and "poor collaboration" between the two departments, the atmosphere did not directly contribute to patient deaths. The report also said that the hospital took appropriate steps to review the situation and make improvements.
Learn more by clicking here, or visit the community at xray.auntminnie.com.
Scorecard on imaging payment cuts
In other news, medical imaging has been subject to a wide variety of payment cuts, rule changes, and other regulatory proposals in the past year -- all of which are going to come to a head in 2010.
To help you keep track of the changes, we bring you a scorecard on the situation, compiled by associate editor Kate Madden Yee in our Imaging Center Digital Community. You'll find the latest on the two healthcare reform bills, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and more. All you need to bring is your own peanuts and Cracker Jack.
Just click here to get up to date, or visit the community at centers.auntminnie.com.
