Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Radiology for January 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Cuts Mean Heart Radiation Dose
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique is associated with a reduction in the mean heart radiation dose during left breast irradiation, according to a review published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
Cerebrovascular Reserve-Based Strategy Is Cost-Effective
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A decision rule based on assessment of cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) seems to be cost-effective for prevention of stroke in asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis, according to a study published in the February issue of Radiology.
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Benefits Package Important for Attracting, Retaining Staff
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An appropriately-targeted benefits package is crucial for attracting and retaining employees, according to an article published Jan. 22 in Medical Economics.
Increase in Biopsies With DCIS, Invasive CA After Mammogram
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing screening mammography, there has been an increase in the percentage of biopsies with diagnoses of invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), according to a study published online Jan. 20 in Cancer.
MRI-Targeted Prostate Biopsy May Yield Better Results
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prostate biopsies that combine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology with ultrasound appear to give men better information regarding the seriousness of their cancer, according to a new study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Most PCPs Consider Advanced Imaging of Value to Patient Care
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most primary care providers (PCPs) consider advanced medical imaging to be of considerable value for patient care, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Exercise Regimen Beneficial in Head, Neck CA Radiation Tx
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with head and neck cancers undergoing radiation therapy, an exercise regimen is better than a repetitive swallow regimen for swallowing function, according to a study published in the February issue of Head & Neck.
More Variation in Costs Than Outcomes of PCI in VA System
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, the variation in one-year risk-adjusted mortality is smaller than variation in risk-standardized costs, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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May Be Room for Improvement in U/S Transducer Hygiene
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For endoluminal procedures relying on barrier protection to avoid contamination, permeability of materials may not always be considered, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
ASCO Reports Biggest Clinical Cancer Advances for 2015
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The biggest clinical cancer advances for 2015 have been identified in an annual report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Very Low Yield for Imaging of Both Legs in Suspected DVT
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT), systematic imaging of both legs has a very low yield, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
PCPs Can Use U/S to Rationalize Tx in Acute Shoulder Pain
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute shoulder pain, ultrasound imaging can be used by primary care physicians to rationalize treatment, according to a study published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Physicians Rank the Best EHR Systems of 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians have ranked electronic health record (EHR) systems based on five key performance areas, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Metabolic Syndrome May Raise Death Risk Postangiography
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For postangiography patients, metabolic syndrome is associated with increased mortality, especially in patients with stable angina, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
More Stressors for Radiation Therapists Than Oncology Nurses
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For occupational groups in cancer care, radiation therapists (RTs) have higher mean scores for stressors and coping strategies than oncology nurses (ONs), according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
Docs Should Negotiate Health Care Payer Contracts
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The terms in health care payer contracts are not immutable, and contracts should be negotiated, according to an article published Jan. 9 in Medical Economics.
Collaboration Between Med Students Cuts Diagnostic Errors
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For fourth-year medical students, working collaboratively is associated with a reduction in diagnostic errors, according to a research letter published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Physicians Hit Barriers in Making Cancer Referrals
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many physicians report encountering barriers when referring cancer patients to specialty care, according to research published in the Jan. 1 issue of Cancer.
Most Docs Work 40 to 60 Hours Per Week
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians work long hours, with most working 40 to 60 hours per week and a considerable proportion working 61 to 80 or more hours per week, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Active Breathing Coordinator Beneficial in RT for Left Breast CA
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with left breast cancer, radiation therapy with the Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) can reduce the mean heart dose (MHD) by 20 percent or more, while preserving local control, according to a study published in the January-February issue of Practical Radiation Oncology.
Defensive Medicine Common Among Surgeons, Radiologists
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Defensive medicine is commonly practiced among surgeons and radiologists in Austria, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Aerobic Exercise Reduces Fatigue With Radiotherapy for Breast CA
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An aerobic exercise program can reduce fatigue in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Working Long Hours? Beware Risky Alcohol Consumption
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Working long hours may raise the risk for alcohol abuse, according to a new study of more than 300,000 people from 14 countries. The report was published online Jan. 13 in The BMJ.
Guidelines Presented for Clinical Documentation in 21st Century
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for clinical documentation and interrelated issues. The position paper has been published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Clinicians Increasingly Ordering Imaging for Headaches
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians are increasingly ordering advanced imaging and referring to other physicians for headache but less often providing counseling, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
AMA Reports on How Docs Use Their Free Time
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association recently surveyed physicians to find what activities they pursue when not in the exam room.
CDC: Occupationally Acquired HIV Now Rare
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Documented occupational acquisition of HIV has now become rare in the United States, according to research published in the Dec. 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
CT Scans Performed During Maxillofacial Surgery Are Rapid
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scans performed during maxillofacial surgery are quick, lasting an average of 14.5 minutes, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Experts Discuss Pros and Cons of Maintenance of Certification
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The pros and cons of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) are discussed in two articles published in the Jan. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Time to Treatment Increasing With Head, Neck Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Time to treatment initiation (TTI) is rising for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in Cancer.
Article Highlights Top Technology Challenges for 2015
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The introduction of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) audits, meaningful use 2, and the burdens of technology are the top four technological challenges for physicians in 2015, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Survival Advantage of ADT+RT in Prostate CA Extends to Older Men
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Androgen-deprivation therapy with radiotherapy (ADT plus RT) is associated with a survival advantage over ADT alone for older men with locally advanced or screen-detected high-risk prostate cancer, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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