Leadership
Radiology Practices Fight Declining Technical Revenues
Declining technical revenues have become a way of life for imaging practices.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, February 15, 2010Restructuring: The Way JVs Get Done
After Congress passed the DRA, reducing Medicare reimbursements for imaging services, the radiology landscape has never been the same.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, February 15, 2010Engaging Physicians in Hospital Radiology Quality Initiatives
The question of how to engage physicians in hospital quality initiatives “is one that many organizations are grappling with,” according to Albert Bothe, MD, chief quality officer for Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania.
Medical Imaging Review, January 26, 2010The Quest for Quality in Radiology
With Quality Counts as its theme for 2009, the RSNA’s 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, obviously emphasized multiple aspects of quality assurance, control, and improvement.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, January 18, 2010Key Metrics for 2010: A Conversation With Marcia Flaherty, CEO, Riverside Radiology
At RSNA 2009, analysis of key metrics was emphasized as a means for radiology practices to improve operations, augment quality, and reduce costs.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, January 18, 2010CT Radiation Dose on the Table
Long a point of concern in Europe, radiation dose has emerged as a key point of consideration for pediatric radiologists in the United States, particularly with the development of multidetector CT.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, January 18, 2010A Time for Introspection
The question that I am most often asked is why I remain so confident and bullish about radiology’s future, given all of the bad news that continues to drain our collective will.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, January 18, 2010Informatics: Linchpin of Personalized Medicine
In urging radiologists to adopt a new focus on quality improvement, RSNA outgoing president Gary Becker, MD, outlines the steps necessary to achieve this goal and calls informatics integral to the process.
Radinformatics, January 10, 2010Jeff Bauer, PhD, on Transforming Health Care
Health care futurist and consultant Jeff Bauer, PhD, coauthor of the book Paradox and Imperatives in Health Care: How Efficiency, Effectiveness, and E-Transformation Can Conquer Waste and Optimize Quality
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 22, 2009All Eyes on Accreditation
In July 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA)
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 21, 2009Leveraging RVU Data to Improve Productivity
Friendly competition has developed among the five radiologists of Capital Imaging Associates, Albany, New York, to the benefit of referrers (and, potentially, to patient care).
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 21, 2009Scanning Imaging’s Deals
With no stimulus package in the wings, the future belongs to those leaders in radiology who dare to innovate
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2009Good Governance
Today’s successful radiology practice implements effective governance structures and decision-making methods
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2009A Cure for the Decision-making Disorder
Five centuries ago, the Roman Catholic Church introduced the devil’s advocate for the express purpose of countering arguments in favor of canonization.
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2009Evaluating Radiology’s New Revenue Streams
In January 2008, the ACR® appointed a task force to research and report on the efficacy of the increasing number of value-added services in radiology.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, November 18, 2009Quality Control With A Custom Fit
Less than a year ago, the radiology department at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center (FAMC), Burlington, Vermont, the hospital affiliate of the University of Vermont College of Medicine, was struggling with antiquated peer-review and quality-control (QC) methods.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, November 18, 2009Scanning Imaging’s Deals
Among the more interesting dramas unfolding in the medical imaging profession these days are the number and variety of transactions that are either in the pipeline, in the process of due diligence, or otherwise in some organization’s strategic plan for 2010.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, November 18, 2009The Mayo Clinic Vision: Radiology’s Role in Care Delivery
Integrated health care delivery systems such as that pioneered by the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, have been heralded for their low-cost, high-quality care and greater efficiency.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, November 18, 2009Of Competitors and Superheroes
An eerie presence had descended on Gotham, and ordinary imaging providers in and around New York were worried.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, October 14, 2009Cracking the Code for Improving Quality
As the entire health care continuum comes under increased scrutiny in terms of both cost and effectiveness, radiologists and administrators alike have fresh cause to contemplate quality in the delivery of imaging services.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, October 14, 2009The ACR and Its Real-world B-school
Radiology is stepping up to the very difficult challenges it faces with the help of an expanding cadre of strong leaders
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009The Netflix Cultural Revolution
When Netflix posted a PowerPoint® presentation detailing its culture on the Internet
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009How Culture Informs Hiring
One of the greatest risks taken by a radiology practice with a formal corporate culture in place is that of hiring personnel who will not support its values.
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009The Cultural Revolution: Two Case Studies on Corporate
Private and public companies alike have long sown the seeds of success by conceiving and adhering to a corporate culture that dictates how employees interact with customers and clients, as well as with each other.
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009Grand Junction: The Role of Radiology in an Integrated Delivery System
In the June 1, 2009, issue of The New Yorker,¹ surgeon-journalist Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, introduces the world to two US cities that, when contrasted with one another, expose the wide gulf in the cost of US health care delivery and outcomes: McAllen, Texas, and Grand Junction, Colorado
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009Strategy Before Structure, Blue Ocean Style
Business strategy has been proceeding backward for three decades or more, according to the authors of Blue Ocean Strategy.¹
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009Raising the Voices of Radiology
Radiology has a very human story to tell, and its grassroots coalition in New York is engaging the support of elected officials to avert a second round of crippling imaging cuts
Radiology Business Journal, October 01, 2009MIPPA’s Impact on Imaging
At the 2009 annual meeting of AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 12.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 10, 2009Forging Multigenerational Teams in Radiology
A satisfied generation X worker is getting more than a paycheck—and is doing more than following instructions, according to Lisa Landry, MBA, MRT(N), Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 10, 2009Whom Do You Trust?
There is perhaps no greater indicator of an organization’s cultural health than the degree to which members of the group—really, a community—trust one another.
Radiology Business Journal, September 10, 2009Radiology’s Role in Limiting Health Care–acquired Infections
In a session at this month’s meeting of AHRA
ImagingBiz Newsletter, August 17, 2009Whom Do You Trust?
There is perhaps no greater indicator of an organization’s cultural health than the degree to which members of the group—really, a community—trust one another.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, August 17, 2009OIC Deployment: Buy, Build, Sell, or Hold?
Tight credit markets may have lengthened timelines, but hospital systems across the United States continue to move aggressively into their communities to fulfill outpatient imaging strategies.
Medical Imaging Review, July 26, 2009The Evolving Radiologist-hospital Relationship
It was the contract termination heard ‘round the world when Florida Radiology Associates (FRA) ended its 40-year relationship with Florida Hospital last year.
Medical Imaging Review, July 26, 2009Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging: Part 3
Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging is an occasional series about advocates for the profession who are working to enhance radiology through research, governmental affairs, humanitarian efforts, and more.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2009Protecting Radiology Through Credentialing
According to David M. Yousem, MD, MBA, serving on your hospital’s credentialing committee is far more important than you might think.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2009OIC Strategy: Build, Buy, or Sell
Recognizing that outpatient imaging revenue is far too important to the bottom line to forfeit the business to aggressive and nimble entrepreneurs, hospitals and health systems have moved aggressively into their communities in recent years with their own outpatient imaging center initiatives.
Radiology Business Journal, July 01, 2009Leading Large in Michigan
As practices merge to gain leverage and broad subspecialty expertise, they also encounter commensurate new leadership challenges in governing ever-larger groups of independent-minded members.
Radiology Business Journal, July 01, 2009The Current State of Radiology Administration
Penny Olivi, CRA, FAHRA, RT dishes on managing a radiology department and an academic practice in 2009.
Radiology Business Journal, July 01, 2009The Digital Dilemma: More than a Can of Paint
A disturbing trend is clearly visible in the marketplace: too many new imaging facilities are out-of-date by the time they are initially operational.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, June 12, 2009Leadership in Radiology
What’s expected of leaders in radiology has changed, Frank J. Lexa, MD, MBA, informed his audience at the 23rd Annual Economics of Diagnostic Imaging 2008: National Symposium
ImagingBiz Newsletter, May 15, 2009PQRI: Money on the Table
Medicare made more than $36 million in payments to more than 56,000 physicians who participated in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative in 2007.
Radiology Business Journal, May 01, 2009The Practice CIO: Driving Business Innovation
CIOs are playing a key role in moving the clinical and business operations of the radiology practice into the 21st century
Radiology Business Journal, May 01, 2009Ten Steps to ARRA
Charles Christian, CIO, Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes, Ind, identifies the following steps that organizations should take to position themselves to receive their share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds earmarked for health care IT.
Radiology Business Journal, May 01, 2009The Future of Hospital-based Outpatient Imaging
Is outpatient imaging on the hospital campus still strategically relevant for hospitals and health systems?
ImagingBiz Newsletter, April 15, 2009Productivity Tracking for Radiologists
Because there are not enough radiologists available to meet demand, practices must learn to make the most of radiologists’ available time, according to a paper presented in Chicago at RSNA 2008.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, April 15, 2009Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging: G. Scott Gazelle, MD, MPH, PhD
Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging is an occasional series about radiology professionals whose work demonstrates the value of the specialty through research, governmental affairs, humanitarian efforts, and more.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, March 15, 2009Atlas Scanned
In trying to understand the current shift in economic and political winds, I thought it would be helpful to take a new look at a classic depiction of the US capitalist system, as portrayed in one of American fiction’s great works.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, March 15, 2009Reinventing the Radiology Practice
Radiology practices must be nimble enough to reinvent themselves if they are to thrive, according to Fred Gaschen, MBA, CHE. Gaschen, executive vice president of Radiological Associates of Sacramento, Calif, presented “Reinventing Your Radiology Practice” on October 24, 2008.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, March 15, 2009Thoughtful Management for Hard Times
Historically, financial downturns have not affected the health care industry, but it is not so this time.
Radiology Business Journal, March 01, 2009Radiology: Ancillary No More
Radiologists must counteract practice developments that can result in trivializing their specialty’s contributions to medicine
Radiology Business Journal, March 01, 2009Commoditization of Imaging: What Can Radiologists Do Now?
As telecommunications technology advances, rocking the age-old paradigm of the radiologist tethered to a lightbox, radiologists have freedom as never before.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, February 15, 2009Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging: Part 1
Heroes in Proving the Value of Imaging is an occasional series about advocates for the profession who are working to enhance radiology through research, governmental affairs, humanitarian efforts, and more. In Part 1, ImagingBiz speaks with academic leader Bruce Hillman, MD.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, January 15, 2009Patient Surveys Guide Competitive Strategies
Asking customers what they need is one of the best ways of retaining their business, in the experience of Frank J. Lexa, MD, MBA.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 15, 2008Summit Radiology CEO Mark Schaefer: The Role of IT in Building the Practice
The story of Summit Radiology is in some respects archetypal: the story of the modern radiology practice.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 15, 2008Bolstering the Team: Outsourcing Final Interpretations and Billing
For Kalvinder Sumra, MD, medical director at Pembina County Memorial Hospital, Cavalier, ND, the challenge has never been keeping his radiologists happy.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, December 15, 2008Radiology in an Economic Downturn Strategies for Success
In the near term, radiology practices must turn their attention to managing expenses instead of growth.
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2008The Push for Productivity
In an era of declining reimbursement for radiology, one practice is testing the limits of IT’s ability to improve productivity
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2008Building the Model Practice
Corporate-style governance, subspecialization, and choosing the right administrative staff members all play roles
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2008FRA and Florida Hospital: A Cautionary Tale Unfolds
After 40 years, a 47-physician group ceased to exist, a casualty of current medical economics, internal strife,and failed negotiations
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2008Understanding—and Adapting to—Managed Care Strategies
It is highly probable that many practices will see their current payor mix change to one in which 80% or more of net patient revenues will be based on negotiated payments,” according to Christopher J. Kalkhof, FACHE, director and national managed care lead, Provider Revenue Cycle Practice, Deloitte Consulting, New York City.
Radiology Business Journal, December 01, 2008Packaging Versus Bundling: Let the Battle Begin
There are very important differences between packaged services and bundled services. Unfortunately, many people use these terms interchangeably, which may result in incorrect coding practices (and, potentially, in lost revenue for the organization).
ImagingBiz Newsletter, November 15, 2008Buy, Sell, or Hold: Selling Your Diagnostic Imaging Business
I was recently speaking with a client of mine who had spent about eight years growing his diagnostic imaging company.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, October 15, 2008A Formula for Budget-based Marketing
Not long ago, I sent a memo to a select group of clients informing them that as of January 9, 2009, pharmaceutical representatives would no longer be distributing the so-called dry goods.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, October 15, 2008Consumer-driven Health Care: Dealing With the Impact on the Physician Revenue Cycle
The health care industry will be facing significant changes in the future, and a medical practice’s success is becoming increasingly linked to its revenue cycle.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 15, 2008Role of the Center Manager: Driving Productivity by Nurturing Cooperation
The team at OGH Imaging LLC, Grand Coteau, La, faces a daunting task every day.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 15, 2008Palm Beach Radiology Institute: Digital Out of the Box
At Palm Beach Radiology Institute, operated by Palm Beach Radiology and Imaging Associates (PBRIA), there is no film, there never has been film, and no one expects ever to see film.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 15, 2008NightHawk Offers Model for QA
It’s easy to let quality assurance (QA) slip into a lip-service category, but that is something that a nighttime stat-reading teleradiology service can’t afford to do—particularly if it is an industry leader like NightHawk Radiology Services.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, September 15, 2008Tomorrow’s Successful Imaging Leaders
In despair at the way its programs were organized, the business school at one university recruited as the director of programs a successful businessman.
Radiology Business Journal, September 01, 2008What is Quality Radiology?
The 1999 Institute of Medicine report To Err Is Human¹ brought the extent and severity of medical errors to the attention of policymakers, hospital administrative staff, and health care providers.
Radiology Business Journal, September 01, 2008Physician Productivity Tracking Takes Hold
No matter how common measuring productivity becomes, there is a deficiency behind it: tracking does not always reflect reality and, as a result, can cause diligent workers to appear less productive.
Radiology Business Journal, September 01, 2008The Leadership Balance: People and Performance
Every company is, at once, two things: an economic organization whose survival depends on delivering value in an unforgiving market and a social institution with deep impact on the lives of its employees.
Radiology Business Journal, September 01, 2008Lynn Elliot: Moving RATC Beyond the Field of Dreams
In 1998, Lynn Elliott, MBA, CPA, accepted a position as CEO of the thriving, hospital-based practice of Radiology Associates of Tarrant County (RATC), Fort Worth, Tex.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, August 15, 2008Surveying Referrers Provides Valuable Guidance
During a client consultation via conference call last month, I was asked what other radiology practices are doing to deliver reports.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, August 15, 2008Transforming the PACS Vendor Relationship
Radiologists at Yale University figuratively equate their PACS with a toolbox and themselves with artisans, from whose hands now spring forth remarkably useful pictures.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2008Assessing the Cost of Individual Radiologists’ Reporting Habits
Medical billing systems are database files managed using programs that perform accounting functions.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2008Eight Ways to Motivate Your Practice Representatives
The proper care (and feeding) of your practice representatives is a process, not an event.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2008Contrarians at Heart: Riding the Bull Market in Imaging
Acquisitive firms have long been earmarked for challenges based on academic research predicting high failure rates for such companies.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2008Sandy Benson, CEO, Seattle Radiologists, PC: Keeping the Hierarchy Low
You could say that Sandy Benson grew up at Seattle Radiologists.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, July 15, 2008Ten Reasons Plans Fail
So many strategic plans end up collecting dust because group practices are not properly primed to act, Richard Townley, MBA, president and CEO of AGI Healthcare Group, San Ramon, Calif, believes.
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008Trends in Managed Care Cost Containment: What Will They Think of Next?
Over the past few years, the imaging industry has come under attack by managed care companies.
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008The Logistics of PACS for the Practice
Now that radiology practices have discovered the benefits of PACS, they are investing in the IT support to leverage the technology for its maximum potential
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008HBR: How the Best Get Better
For many years, Graham Jones earned his keep as psychologist to high-performance Olympians and other world champions.
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008Two Venerable Organizations Explore a Shared Future
With a dramatically increased need for professional education made necessary by maintenance of certificate requirements, the ACR and the ARRS are in talks to collaborate—and possibly merge
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008Using Metrics and Dashboards to Forecast Business
Dashboard design is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, but a strategic tool to assemble and display data relevant to an organization’s key performance indicators
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008Quality in Radiology: Science or Science Fiction?
In times of turmoil, I have always turned to science fiction. Hard science is, well, too hard for this intellect, and science fiction offers refuge when the world around is, as Wordsworth said, too much with us.
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008What Radiology Can Do to Improve Its Health
Everywhere one looks, these days, there is uncertainty about the future of radiology.
Radiology Business Journal, June 15, 2008The Elements of a Feasibility Study
The number of freestanding diagnostic imaging centers opening in the United States has slowed considerably as markets have become increasingly saturated and reimbursement has declined.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, June 12, 2008Creating a Blog That No One Will Read
A couple of years ago, the CEO of a $100-million company was presiding over a conference call with about 16 senior members of several divisions of the company.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, June 12, 2008Touchstone Medical Imaging: Putting People First
Touchstone Medical Imaging is a privately held provider of diagnostic imaging services headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, April 15, 2008The Third Rail: Measuring and Managing Physician Productivity
Richard Duszak, MD, bears the authority of experience when he cautions those who dare attempt to manage physician productivity.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Negotiating Exclusive Hospital Contracts: Five Critical Issues
Are exclusive hospital contracts negotiable? Of course they are, but when a hospital provides a radiology group with an exclusive contract, the hospital may give the impression that it is a form agreement, ready for signature. What the hospital does not tell you is that these form agreements frequently are heavily negotiated.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Evaluating a Practice Merger
Veterans will confirm that there is no perfect practice merger, but by following the signposts and avoiding the pitfalls, it is possible to craft a merger that works well for both parties.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Leveraging Design for Improved Imaging Performance
In this era, it is time to explore how to move beyond quicker scans and more detailed information sets.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Prognostications on the Future of the Business of Radiology
The aftershocks of the reimbursement decreases from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 are beginning to be seen.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Leading Texas-sized Austin Radiological Association
When it comes to size and influence, Austin Radiological Association (ARA) has few peers. The practice of 72—and soon to be more—radiologists employs 700 people (580 FTEs) in Austin.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Aging Well for Radiologists
Many of the reasons for impaired physician performance (such as physical illness, substance abuse, or psychological difficulties) will not affect all physicians.
Radiology Business Journal, March 15, 2008Being an Effective Leader in Turbulent Times
The world of outpatient imaging changed suddenly when Congress passed historic legislation known as Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005
ImagingBiz Newsletter, March 15, 2008Mark Kleinschmidt: Brokering a Shared Vision
When NightHawk Radiology, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, purchased the business infrastructure of St Paul Radiology in the summer of 2007, the entire industry took notice.
ImagingBiz Newsletter, March 15, 2008Taking Care of Maine
Maine is a sizable state geographically, but its extreme northeastern positioning takes it off the beaten path.
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