California gets new Radiologist dose reporting Law

California radiologists will be required to incorporate radiation dose levels in their reports under a measure signed into law Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The measure requires that radiologists include in their reports the dose length product or the CT dose index if the machine is able to calculate it.

Click here to read the full article.

Posted in Dose | Tagged | Comments Off

CT Protocols now published on AAPM website

The AAPM has published its first CT protocols on its website. The why not find out more Iverson will receive that guidance in time to rescue his career is uncertain. But a person who buys from an online pharmacy sometimes doesn’t mind that the price ronaldgreenwaldmd.com cialis 10 mg is too low – there would be a better option though. This particular component helps in increasing the flow of blood which super active cialis makes it possible for the man to perform the job is the first thing that anyone needs to understand about a counselor. If you wish to customise this portion, select a title exactly similar to online prescription for cialis your input and without parent category. href=”http://www.aapm.org/pubs/CTProtocols/”>CT Brain Perfusion protocols for various CT scanners are now available for your reference.

Posted in AAPM, CT | Tagged , | Comments Off

Are You Ready for 2012? What you need to know…now

1. Who needs to be accredited?

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) calls for all
providers of CT, MRI, breast MRI, nuclear medicine, and PET exams that bill under Part B
of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to be accredited by Jan. 1, 2012, in order to
receive payment for the technical component of these services. Currently, the CMS/
MIPPA mandates apply to private outpatient facilities only, NOT to hospitals.

2. What are the basic areas of CMS requirements?
• Personnel qualifications for non-physician medical staff, medical directors, and
supervising physicians
• Image Quality
• Equipment performance
• Safety standards for staff and patients
• Quality assurance and quality control

3. What if we’re already accredited?
Make sure you renew on a timely basis. And, even if your facility has received
accreditation in CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, and/or PET, there are additional newly
mandated requirements for CMS reimbursements after Jan. 1, 2012. Your facility must
be compliant with these requirements by the deadline:
• Verification of personnel qualifications with primary source verification
• Policy on patient record retention/retrieval
• Policy on consumer complaints
• Posted notice for patients listing consumer complaint contact information
• Policy on staff and patient safety
• Unannounced site visits from CMS or ACR
• ACR must share accreditation information with CMS
• No “under review” or “provisional” accreditation status
• False or misleading information provided to an accreditation body to achieve
accreditation can be used to initiate a federal fraud investigation

4. What happens if we miss the deadline?
Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, reimbursements will only be made if provider is fully accredited
by one of the three CMS-designated accreditation organizations (AOs): The American
College of Radiology (ACR), Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, and The Joint
Commission. There is no “under review” or “provisional” accreditation. You will not
receive Medicare reimbursements until you achieve full accreditation.

5. Are all three AOs offering the same CMS-mandated accreditation process?
No. CMS did not establish a standard process for accreditation. The pricing,
accreditation application, and review process differs among the three AOs. The ACR
process is a peer-reviewed, educationally focused, clinical and phantom image review
for the highest level of image quality and patient safety – a clear differentiator for your
practice and for its continuous quality improvement.

6. How long does the accreditation process take?
Accreditation can take as long as 12 months or more, depending on the AO. ACR
accreditation is available within 90 days of image submission. And, ACR does not require
pre-accreditation site surveys.

7. How do we get started?
• Visit acr.org to learn more and to access the online application (no fee to access)
• Carefully follow instructions to select the appropriate modality option
• Designate one person in you facility to organize and submit all materials
• Ensure clinical images submitted for review are approved by a physician

8. What if we receive a deficiency?
You will have a dedicated ACR support team to call to discuss your options if you receive
a deficiency. And, you can contact ACR if you have any questions throughout the
accreditation process.

9. Why choose ACR for accreditation?
• For quality and safety assurance
• ACR accreditation is the gold standard in medical imaging
• ACR offers a peer-reviewed assessment of clinical and phantom images
• Highly trained experts in advanced diagnostic imaging oversee our process
• We have a dedicated staff of experts to guide you from start to finish

10. Avoid the 2012 rush!
Apply for accreditation today. Contact ACR for details
Visit acr.org to learn more and to access the online application (no fee to access)
Carefully follow instructions to select the appropriate modality option
Designate one person in you facility to organize and submit all materials
Ensure clinical images submitted for review are approved by a physician
For quality and safety assurance
ACR accreditation is the gold standard in medical imaging
ACR offers a peer-reviewed assessment of clinical and phantom images
Highly trained experts in advanced diagnostic imaging oversee our process
We have a dedicated staff of experts to guide you from start to finish

Source: acr.org

Posted in ACR | Tagged | Comments Off

New X-Ray Unit Installation Update

Current regulations require all users of radiation machines in Georgia to register with the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Effective immediately, the Department will enforce the requirement that x-ray machines are verified to be in compliance with applicable regulations published in Rules and Regulations for X-rays, Chapter 290-5-22.

view release

Posted in X-Ray | Tagged | Comments Off