Varian Endows R&E Education Grant
Varian Medical Systems has committed to donating $300,000 over 10 years to the RSNA Research & Education (R&E) Foundation. The funds will support an annual $30,000 education grant. The first grant will be awarded this year.
"The mission of Varian Medical Systems is to focus energy on saving more lives," said Varian Medical Systems President and CEO Tim Guertin. "Our commitment to supporting research and education in the radiologic sciences and radiation oncology is central to this mission."
Varian manufactures medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. Since 2001, Varian has been a member of the R&E Foundation Vanguard program and has supported research grants. The new funds represent the first education grant supported by Varian. The Vanguard program currently includes
14 companies that have committed more than $21 million to support R&E Foundation grants.
R&E education grants provide funding opportunities for individuals with active interest in radiologic education. The grants support a wide range of education projects including development and dissemination of educational materials, research of teaching methods, education in emerging nations and medical student or resident education.
Varian's $300,000 commitment will be counted toward the $15 million Silver Anniversary Campaign goal. The campaign has raised $13.8 million. For information on giving to the R&E Foundation, visit RSNA.org/Foundation.
FDA Warns Against Wearing Medicated Patches during MR
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health advisory that certain transdermal drug patches may deliver skin burns during an MR exam. The warning came as a response to the FDA's finding that not all manufacturers included a safety warning on patches that contain aluminum or other metals in their non-adhesive backing. While not attracted to the scanner magnet, the warning noted, the metal can conduct electricity, generating enough heat to cause burns. The warning cited patient reports of skin burns at the patch site after MR.
The FDA is reviewing labeling and composition of all medicated patches to ensure that those containing metal include a warning to patients. In the meantime, the FDA recommends that patients wearing transdermal patches alert their healthcare professionals at the time of MR referral.
Read the alert at www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/transdermalpatch.htm.
Health Policy Statement Published on Structured Reporting in Cardiac Imaging
A dozen medical societies, including RSNA and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), have published their 2008 Health Policy Statement on Structured Reporting in Cardiovascular Imaging. The statement describes components of a structured imaging report, implementation, involvement of standards-setting organizations, future directions and potential applications.
The statement, published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Foundation, was created by a writing committee representing RSNA, ACCF, American College of Radiology, American Hospital Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, North American Society for Cardiac Imaging, Society for Atherosclerosis Imaging and Prevention, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.
Read the statement at content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/53/1/76.
CCHIT Seeks EHR Testimonials
The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) seeks to compile a catalog of case histories of physicians who have implemented electronic health records (EHRs). CCHIT wants to hear from practices large and small, anywhere in the U.S., that have examples of how EHR usage improves both patient care and practice management, such as:
• Containing or reducing costs
• Providing better patient care
• Keeping more complete records
• Increasing revenue
• Making safer and more informed decisions regarding diagnosis, clinical treatment and ongoing health management of patients
Physicians wishing to participate should contact John Morrissey, CCHIT Communications Manager, at jmorrissey@cchit.org.
SCCT Publishes CCTA Guidelines
The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography has published guidelines for interpretation and reporting of coronary CT angiography (CCTA).
The section on interpretation emphasizes various interpretation and reconstruction formats as well as principles for stenosis segmentation and grading. The section on reporting indicates key information that should be included in the report, with a special emphasis on structured reporting.
The guidelines were authored by the SCCT Writing Group, comprising radiologists, cardiologists and other researchers. The guidelines are available at SCCT.org.
ABMS Enhances MOC Assessment Standards
New maintenance of certification (MOC) standards adopted by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) are intended to help medical specialty boards keep pace with advances in medicine, changes in practice and efforts in healthcare reform.
At its meeting in March, the ABMS board set forth a timeline for officially adopting new lifelong learning assessment elements, including:
• Documentation that physicians are meeting CME and self-assessment requirements
• Evidence of participation in practice-based assessment and quality improvement activities every 2–5 years
• Completion of a patient safety self-assessment program at least once each MOC cycle
• Assessment of communication skills as a standard for all physician diplomates with direct patient care, using a Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) or other ABMS-approved survey
More information is available at abms.org. Learn more about how RSNA helps members with the MOC process at RSNA.org/Education/MOC.
