title: Trials of Quality Improvement in Imaging.
abstract: Cardiovascular imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Recently, increased emphasis has been placed on quality in cardiovascular imaging, and it is becoming a central priority for various stakeholders, including patients, physicians, and payers. The changing health care landscape and associated challenges imposed on cardiac imagers, including reductions in reimbursement and growing need for pre-authorization, have also helped bring quality metrics to the forefront. Continuous quality improvement initiatives provide the framework for the team of physicians, technical staff members, administrators, and other health care professionals to deliver high-quality care. Efforts to improve quality in cardiac imaging have started to form the foundation for numerous research studies in this arena, and although few in number, randomized control trials have begun to emerge. This review highlights quality improvement studies focusing on appropriate use education, reporting, and radiation dose reduction in cardiovascular imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, Michigan.
authors.forename: Kavitha M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chinnaiyan
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: rweiner@partners.org.
authors.forename: Rory B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Weiner
mesh_terms: D057791:Cardiac Imaging Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000592:standards
keywords: appropriate use; imaging; quality improvement; radiation dose