http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress provides the latest news from American College of Radiology In a randomized phase III clinical trial conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), high-dose (HD), compared with standard-dose (SD), radiotherapy (RT) with concurrent chemotherapy (CT) did not improve overall survival of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-higher-dose-rt-results-inferior-survival.html Cancer Wed, 29 May 2013 15:03:09 EST news289058583 National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) investigators also conclude that the 20 percent reduction in lung cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) versus chest X-ray (CXR) screening previously reported in the NLST primary paper is achievable at experienced screening centers in the United States. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-ct-lung-cancers-x-ray-screening.html Cancer Wed, 22 May 2013 17:04:17 EST news288461036 According to a new study published online in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, any efficiencies in physician interpretation and diagnosis gained when different providers interpret different medical imaging scans performed on the same patient are minute and vary by procedure. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-efficiencies-scans-patient.html Other Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:31:18 EST news284732952 According to a study in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, the use of volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to deliver intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to prostate cancer patients results in an overall reduction in treatment time of approximately 14 percent. The study was performed at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-therapy-method-shortens-prostate-cancer.html Cancer Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:32:41 EST news278937115 According to a study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, primary care physicians prefer to deliver the results of radiology examinations themselves and feel medico-legally obligated by recommendations within radiology reports. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-majority-primary-physicians-radiology-results.html Other Fri, 01 Feb 2013 05:07:35 EST news278917648 Availability of CT colonography (CTC), commonly known as virtual colonoscopy, is increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates across military medical facilities. Inclusion of CTC as a Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)-compliant colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test can potentially raise overall screening rates, according to a study in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-inclusion-ctc-hedis-screening-modality.html Cancer Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:44:36 EST news277058669 A new Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute study shows that fewer than one-in-five healthcare providers meet Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) requirements. Those that meet PQRS thresholds now receive a .5 percent Medicare bonus payment. In 2015, bonuses will be replaced by penalties for providers who do not meet PQRS requirements. As it stands, more than 80 percent of providers nationwide would face these penalties. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-physicians-medicare-quality-requirements.html Health Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:42:28 EST news276849741 According to an article in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, a medical imaging facility in San Diego, Imaging Healthcare Specialists, has implemented a successful radiation dose reduction program, reducing radiation exposure by up to 90 percent in some patients. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-imaging-facility-successful-dose-reduction.html Cancer Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:33:49 EST news271355623 A new report by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute shows that the length of the average hospital stay in the United States has increased at the same time as use of medical imaging scans has declined. It is unclear if the trends are related, but potentially important, as hospital admissions are among the largest, and fastest growing, health care costs. More research is needed to assess the potential negative impact of government and private insurer imaging reductions on overall medical costs and patient safety. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-declining-medical-imaging-hospital.html Other Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:37:22 EST news270214629 While scientific evidence suggests that less is typically more when it comes to diagnosing and treating low-back pain in the U.S., the number of expensive imaging exams and surgeries done on patients continues to rise, researchers say. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-radiologists-evidence-based-guidelines-physicians-patients.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:54:29 EST news268278863 According to a study in the Sept. issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, overall non-invasive diagnostic imaging (NDI) costs to Medicare Part B dropped 21 percent from 2006 to 2010. The study reveals that medical imaging is not a driver of escalating Medicare costs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-non-invasive-diagnostic-imaging-medicare-significantly.html Health Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:03 EST news265893441 According to a study in the Sept. issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, using a combination of the Internet and compact discs (CD) to transfer images during inter-hospital transfer is associated with much lower repeat imaging rates, suggesting that regional PACS networks may be useful for reducing cost and radiation exposure associated with trauma. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-regional-pacs-network-exposure.html Cancer Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:02 EST news265893399 Among most women in Pakistan, there is limited awareness of breast cancer occurrence, detection, and screening practices, or the importance of self-breast exams and clinical breast exams, according to a study in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. In Pakistan, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and the incidence is rising. It is usually diagnosed in later stages and often at a younger age compared with populations in the West. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-barriers-breast-health-pakistan.html Cancer Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:30:01 EST news263041326 In response to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs regarding declining medical imaging use in recent years, the American College of Radiology (ACR) released a statement explaining that physician education efforts and quality assurance steps have resulted in more efficient use of imaging, but that arbitrary Medicare cuts are damaging patient access to care. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-acr-medical-imaging-health-affairs.html Health Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:47:40 EST news262453653 The use of an electronic medical record (EMR) for reviewing portal images dramatically improves compliance with timeliness and record keeping, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Portal images are used to verify the positioning of patients during daily radiation treatments to improve the accuracy of the radiation field placement, to reduce exposure to normal tissue and to deliver accurate dose to tumor volumes. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-electronic-medical-physician-compliance-portal.html Other Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:09:10 EST news260446145