Volume XIV | Issue 6| September 2022 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
It’s hard to believe we’re almost in the 4th quarter of the year! It seems that things continue to get more ‘interesting’ every day. Like all industries, healthcare is struggling with finding employees. And, because of the highly technical nature of our business, our pool of candidates is more defined and less robust than other industries. This has caused competition for new candidates and an exponential increase in compensation. So, how should we, as employers, deal with this problem? First, we should do all that we can to ensure our present, ‘good’ workers feel valued. We can do that by making sure they work in a great environment and feel appreciated for what they do. Of course, we must compensate our team appropriately, be aware of market increases, and act accordingly. However, we should be careful not to focus only on the wage, but also emphasize benefits such as healthcare, profit sharing, and annual bonuses. We’ve found that some hospitals might advertise a higher wage but send employees home before noon…resulting in lower total compensation. When openings do occur, be proactive in trying to find the best employees.
There are a few lessons that I have learned in our hiring process. First, realize that you have a great job to offer and commit to only hiring the best. It doesn’t pay to settle for someone that does not meet your standards. If they’re trainable, that’s one thing but, if they're not a good fit, it’s best to keep looking until you find the right person. Second, we ask…who would want this job in this location? We’ve been able to fill positions in remote areas by advertising not only the job’s description but also talking about the community where the job is. For instance, if we have a job in an area with great outdoor activities, we make sure to mention that, not only find a great employee but one who loves where they live. Third, most employees want the ability to grow. So, we define what they’re looking for long-term and try to find ways that we can help make that happen. This is important for present employees and those that we’re trying to attract. Finally, we like to measure our performance from the employee's point of view. Though Modern Healthcare’s ‘Best Place to Work in Healthcare’, we survey our employees annually to find out how we’re doing. It’s a great tool that we use to continually evolve into a better place to work. It seems to be working. We’re proud to have won the award for the 6th straight year and are excited to be attending the Award Banquet later this month. Although the hiring market may seem difficult right now, I am confident that we, and other leaders in our community, can continue to attract top-notch talent that will lead our industry.
Best regards,
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HYBRID IMAGING GUIDELINE
The goal of this document is to provide the basis for standards to perform best practices in patient care when utilizing hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT imaging systems. In addition, the document describes the impact of using a hybrid system in the interpretation of the nuclear images. To this end, physician training requirements and competency in hybrid imaging procedures along with strategies for guiding reimbursement are also addressed in this document.
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Does Tc-99m SPECT damage DNA?
A common laboratory test called a "comet assay" shows that radiation from technetium-99m (Tc-99m) SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) poses little risk of damaging a patient's DNA, according to a Brazilian group.
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Heart Disease Genes Flagged by Rare Variant Analysis of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
By sequencing protein-coding portions of the genome in individuals with clinically high-risk forms of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a team from the US and Canada has tracked down rare variant contributors to the female-centric heart condition, including variants in genes previously associated with SCAD or to related monogenic diseases.
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AI Tool Can Quantify CAC—and Associated CV Risk—From PET
A novel deep learning-based model can, by using low-quality positron emission tomographic (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scans, automatically quantify coronary artery calcium (CAC) and its potential for causing future adverse cardiac events, according to new data.
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Imaging shows how HIV scores 'direct hit' to heart muscle
HIV may affect the heart not only via the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) but also by a "direct hit to the heart muscle," a team of U.K. researchers has found. The results were published September 13 in JAMA.
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Meta-analysis: No conclusive link between saturated fats and CV risk
A meta-analysis of observational, prospective and randomized trials did not conclusively find any significant association between dietary saturated fat and risk for CVD, CHD, CV events or death.
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AHA, ACC update chest pain data standards
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released its 2022 updated chest pain data standards.
The document, published Aug. 30 in the AHA's journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, standardized data elements for consistent reporting on chest pain cases and established new definitions for serious cardiovascular causes of chest pain and acute myocardial infarction.
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In patients with CAD, P2Y12 inhibitors best aspirin for secondary prevention
Among patients with CAD, P2Y12 monotherapy was superior to aspirin monotherapy for prevention of CV death, MI and stroke, according to an individual patient data meta-analysis presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.
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Amgen’s Repatha lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol in 80% of ASCVD patients
Amgen said Repatha (evolocumab) reduced the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to desirable target levels in 80 percent of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in a long-term trial.
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Flurpiridaz data shows promise to expand and enhance cardiac PET
Comparison of flurpiridaz F-18 PET, SPECT and angiography of the 60-year-old female patients in the Aurora trial. The SPECT scan appeared normal, but flurpiridaz was shown to be more sensitive and showed the ischemia from two blockages in the right coronary artery. The new radiotracer may help expand cardiac PET.
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Artificial sweeteners may increase risk for heart disease
Greater consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease, a study published in the BMJ found.
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Cumulative systolic BP load may improve CV prognostic value vs. other BP measures
Cumulative systolic BP load demonstrated improved prognostic value compared with other BP measures for the assessment of CV risk in patients with diabetes, according to data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Chronic 'Exercise Deficiency' Linked to HFpEF
Chronic lack of exercise — dubbed "exercise deficiency" — is associated with cardiac atrophy, reduced cardiac output and chamber size, and diminished cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in a subgroup of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), researchers say.
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Edwards launches Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia heart valve following FDA approval
Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) announced today that it launched its next-gen Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia transcatheter heart valve.
Irvine, California-based Edwards launched the valve following a recent FDA approval. It incorporates the company’s Resilia tissue technology in the transcatheter aortic valve repair (TAVR) device.
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More Diverse, Medically Complex Patients Hospitalized Less Often After Home-Based Cardiac Rehab
Patients, including those from diverse backgrounds and with more complex medical conditions, who participated in in-home cardiac rehabilitation had fewer hospitalizations over 12 months than patients who participated in center-based cardiac rehabilitation, according to a study published Thursday in JAMA Network Open.
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BHF-funded research finds new algorithm to help diagnose heart attacks
A research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found that an algorithm developed using artificial intelligence (AI) can help diagnose heart attacks in women more quickly and accurately.
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New technique identifies ‘hot’ disease in arteries that can lead to CV events
Using noninvasive 18F-sodium fluoride PET and coronary CTA to detect “hot” disease in arteries, researchers were able to predict which patients with recent MI would have recurrent coronary events.
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FDA clears new Viz.ai algorithm for measuring ventricles in identifying pulmonary embolism
San Francisco-based Viz.ai designed its algorithm to quickly and accurately measure the diameter of the ventricles of the heart. The measurements provide the ratio of the maximum right ventricle (RV) diameter versus left ventricle (LV). Automating this risk indicator for pulmonary embolism (PE) enables care teams to respond quickly.
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Low physical function in older adults predictive of worse CVD outcomes
Poor physical function was associated with increased risk for CHD, stroke and HF in adults older than 65 years, according to a new analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.
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A Special Issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Highlights the New Frontier of Theranostics
“Theranostics”—derived from the terms “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”—uses a targeted radiopharmaceutical to both image and treat a tumor. Theranostics is currently used to treat neuroendocrine tumors, thyroid cancer and prostate cancer and has the potential to be used for many other types of cancer in the future.
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On Target touts study on intraoperative imaging agent
Molecular imaging agent developer On Target Laboratories is highlighting the results of a study showing the effectiveness of its Cytalux (pafolacianine) agent in intraoperative imaging of folate receptor-positive ovarian cancer.
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Increased Tau Burden Observed in Abnormal Central Vascular Hemodynamics
Recently published cross-sectional data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) showed that higher aortic stiffness and pressure pulsatility were associated with greater rhinal and entorhinal tau burden, supporting the hypothesis that abnormal central vascular hemodynamics contributes to increased tau in specific brain regions susceptible to early tau protein deposition.1
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FDG-PET predicts survival in adrenal cancer patients
PET scans with an F-18 FDG radiotracer may predict overall survival in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma, according to a study published September 8 in the American Journal of Surgery.
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ISCT: Just how great is photon-counting CT?
Photon-counting CT is a new technology that could transform clinical practice, according to two presentations delivered September 15 at the International Society for Computed Tomography (ISCT) symposium.
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Outreach team builds system to head off screening cancellations
Phone calls alone didn’t significantly reduce screening mammography cancellations among underserved urban patient populations in a recent pilot project.
However, expanding available hours on top of calling with reminders did the equity-focused job with encouraging effectiveness.
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How low can FDG dose go on PET/MRI?
Researchers in France say radiation doses in PET/MRI exams can be reduced significantly without compromising image quality in patients with neurological disorders, according to a study published September 12 in Scientific Reports.
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Radiopharm, MD Anderson launch new theranostics company
Radiopharm Theranostics and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) have launched a new company that will develop new therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment.
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Astatine-211 targets blood-borne cancers in Seattle clinical trials
Scientists in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medicine at the University of Washington (UW) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) are directly targeting cancerous cells traveling through patients’ bloodstreams with diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma using an intravenous injection of the radioactive isotope astatine-211 (At-211). The work, its challenges, and its promise were described in a recent news release from the National Isotope Development Center (NIDC), which is managed by the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program.
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Early-Onset Psychosis Linked to Enhanced CNV Burden
A Boston Children's Hospital-led team has tracked down copy number variants (CNVs) with apparent ties to early-onset psychosis — psychotic symptoms such as hallucination that occur in children under 18 years old.
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PET reveals potential benefits of new Alzheimer's drug
Eli Lilly investigators estimate that the company's experimental Alzheimer's disease drug donanemab could clear amyloid plaque brain deposits in patients for up to four years, according to a study published September 12 in JAMA Neurology.
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Ultraprocessed foods linked to cancer and early death, studies find
Eating a lot of ultraprocessed foods significantly increases men's risk of colorectal cancer and can lead to heart disease and early death in both men and women, according to two new, large-scale studies of people in the United States and Italy published Wednesday in British medical journal The BMJ.
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Omnipaque and Visipaque still listed among the FDA's drug shortages
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just recently updated its running list of drugs that are in short supply, and as of September 2, Iodixanol and Iohexol injections are still on that list.
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Sleep warning: Snorers at increased risk of cancer and cognitive decline, warns study
Snoring decreases blood oxygen levels and can cause daytime fatigue. However, the implications of snoring may be far more serious warns a new Swedish study which links the sleeping condition to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and even poor brain health
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CT shows lung problems persist up to a year after COVID-19
CT shows that more than a third of people who have contracted COVID-19 may experience persistent lung problems up to a year after recovery, a condition commonly known as long COVID, a group of South Korean investigators has found.
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New analysis highlights effectiveness of low-dose CT lung cancer screening
Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings have increased the number of early-stage cancers detected while also decreasing the incidence of late-stage cancer diagnoses.
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Joint Commission to review, revise quality standards
The Joint Commission will review and analyze each of its quality standards with an eye toward revising or eliminating measures to better focus on patient safety and support overwhelmed healthcare workers bogged down by reporting requirements, President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Perlin said Wednesday.
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AI can help prevent clinician burnout
Julius Bogdan, vice president and general manager of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Digital Health Advisory Team for North America, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) can help combat clinician burnout, which has played a major factor in the "great resignation" in healthcare.
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Medicare Advantage insurers brace for post-pandemic star ratings drop
Health insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans enjoyed higher star ratings, and the extra dollars that come with them, during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's about to end.
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How the pandemic will affect employee health plans in 2023
The Business Group on Health’s (BGH) annual health benefits survey of large employers for 2022 was released on Aug. 26, showing what HR needs to focus on for employee benefits and employee health plans for 2023.
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Report: The State and Science of Value-Based Care
Providers believe 96% of payment is now value-based in some capacity, and 58% believe their EHR vendor won’t be able to support the data strategies required to thrive under value-based care, according to a new study conducted by Morning Consult and Innovaccer.
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House passes Medicare Advantage prior authorization oversight bill
The measure would compel Medicare Advantage insurers to use electronic prior authorization programs, annually submit lists of items and services subject to prior authorization, and adopt beneficiary protection standards. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act now moves the Senate, where supporters hope it will advance after the November congressional elections.
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Congress returns to a packed health care agenda and limited time
Congressional lawmakers of both parties have their sights set on extending the availability of telehealth. Democrats want to force debates on abortion and the creation of a national patient ID, both of which Republicans will oppose.
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Providers press CMS to pull back 4.5% doc pay cut, call for tweaks to ACO reforms
Several provider groups say the Biden administration needs to reverse a proposed 4.5% pay cut to doctors for next year, noting the agency needs to consider additional financial pressures that practices are facing.
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One in four hospitals won't be charged readmissions penalties
One-fourth of hospitals will not face readmissions penalties, and those that did not meet the Medicare standard in recent years can expect lower reimbursement cuts, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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For over 25 years, HRSI has provided Authorized User (AU) classroom and laboratory training to physicians. HRSI's training is recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and fulfills the didactic training required by law. | | |
Capsid Consulting's mission is to enhance the Infection Prevention (IP) and Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) in long term care facilities around the United States via teleconsulting. Through our sister company, PraxisID, we support rural hospitals and clinics by providing full-time Infectious Disease staff to participate in patient care via telehealth as well as any other critical Infectious Disease needs. | | |
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Cholecystokinin cholescintigraphy (CCK-CS) with measurement of a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) provides a physiologic, noninvasive, and accurate quantitative assessment of gallbladder contraction, and is the standard diagnostic test for clinical evaluation of individuals presenting with suspected biliary pain. This program will provide guidance for clinicians who diagnose and treat biliary pain and functional gall bladder disorders and will use case studies to demonstrate how to appropriately apply CCK-CS to clinical decision making, including the decision to recommend cholecystectomy.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | | |
