Diagnostic Reading #14: Five “Must Read” Articles on Medical Imaging
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News this week: imaging informatics in radiology, and COVID headlines.
This week’s articles in Diagnostic Reading include: radiologists should reschedule non-urgent imaging; social media can provide COVID-19 support; applying imaging informatics to improve patient care in radiology; ABR postpones more exams; and telehealth rules eased for radiologists.
Radiologists urged to reschedule all non-urgent imaging in wake of COVID-19’s spread – Radiology Business
Due to the spread of COVID-19, the American College of Radiology (ACR) is urging physicians to reschedule any non-urgent, outpatient imaging visits as necessary to help keep patients and staffers safe. ACR’s updated guidance mirrors recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to push back exams or other outpatient procedures that can wait “as necessary.” This includes mammography and CT cancer screenings, other non-urgent computed tomography, ultrasound, plain-film X-ray exams as well as elective radiology-related procedures.
Radiologists turning to social media for COVID-19 second opinions – Diagnostic Imaging
As patients with potential COVID-19 infections are visiting hospitals almost everywhere—and for some locations without enough resources, putting a strain on radiologists to review CT scans—some radiology groups are turning to social media in an effort to pool expert knowledge. The Iranian Society of Radiology (ISR) partnered with radiologists in North America to create a teleradiology consultation service, called Iranian Society of Radiology COVID-19 Consultants (ISRCC), according to an article in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Using WhatsApp, a securing messaging platform, this service has volunteers in multiple time zones to ensure round-the-clock support.
Imaging informatics improve patient care in radiology – Everything Rad
Doctors at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania provide insights about how imaging informatics can improve patient care in radiology. Read their blog about the informatics innovations they have implemented – and that can be modeled at other healthcare facilities.
American Board of Radiology postponing more exams due to coronavirus – Radiology Business
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) is delaying more upcoming exams, set for May and June, amid continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the physician-certification group said diagnostic radiology testing slated to start next month will be shelved until Nov. 5-6 and 9-10 in Chicago and Tucson, Arizona, respectively. Exam content will still be the same in November and test takers will not be penalized for the delay.
Telehealth rules relaxed for radiologists during COVID-19 – AuntMinnie
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Medicare has temporarily opened up the ability for physicians to provide medical care to patients without the need for them to be in the same physical location. Though diagnostic radiologists typically are not involved in direct patient communication, it does take place in certain instances, such as mammography and biopsy procedures. Also, because interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists perform evaluation and management (E/M) services routinely, they will be able to take advantage of these rule changes.
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