Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Is "meaningful use" really meaningful to radiology? It really is, say many in organized radiology who have been trying to convince imaging professionals to apply for U.S. stimulus funds available for adopting healthcare IT.
But the federal agencies administering the program seem to have other ideas. When the second stage of meaningful use criteria was released last month, radiology was given barely a mention. And it may not be until 2015 that the meaningful use program gets around to setting criteria for certifying imaging informatics software.
Fortunately, there's still time for radiology professionals to make a difference: There's a deadline of February 25 for comments on the proposed stage 2 guidelines, according to an article by associate editor Cynthia E. Keen in our Healthcare IT Digital Community. Learn how you can make your voice heard by clicking here.
Report slams digital mammo
In other news, digital mammography has been one of radiology's success stories, with breast centers adopting full-field digital mammography (FFDM) systems rapidly since the first unit came on the market in 2000. Clinical studies indicate that the technology offers lower dose, workflow benefits, and higher sensitivity in younger women and those with dense breast tissue.
But a new article released this week paints a different picture. An investigative piece by the Center for Public Integrity portrays digital mammography as a technology that offers few proven benefits over its analog counterpart, and one that's draining the Medicare system of millions of dollars due to its higher reimbursement levels.
Many breast imaging experts -- including several who spoke to the reporters who wrote the article -- were flabbergasted, and believe the story was a hatchet job that glosses over much of the evidence in favor of digital mammography. Learn what they're saying by clicking here for an article in our Women's Imaging Digital Community.
While you're there, check out this article on some of the factors that lead to lower compliance with screening mammography, as well as this story on how breast MRI centers are reducing their false-positive rates.
Get these articles and more in our Women's Imaging Digital Community, at women.auntminnie.com.
