Health Imaging & IT - February 2008 - (Page 12)

NEWS UPDATE Clinical Studies Digital mammography may not be cost effective Digital mammography may only be more cost effective than film mammography for women who are under age 50, premenopausal or who have dense breasts, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers decided to assess its cost-effectiveness because the Digital Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST) reported improved breast cancer detection with digital mammography compared to film mammography in selected population subgroups. Yet, the researchers observed that it did not assess the economic value of digital relative to film mammography screening. The researchers said their findings imply that the cost-effectiveness of digital mammography varies substantially, depending on whether and how its use is targeted. [ Sectra MicroDose Mammography ] REPORTS & SURVEYS Harvard researchers cast doubt on regional health data exchange An electronic clinical data exchange across the United States is far from a reality with few organizations facilitating and succeeding with such an exchange, according to a study by Harvard researchers published in Health Affairs. The study, based on a 2007 survey of 145 regional health information organizations (RHIOs), assesses the state of electronic health data exchange. The “findings suggest that nationwide electronic clinical data exchange will be much harder than what many people have envisioned,” said lead study author Julia Adler-Milstein. Cone-beam CT faster, potentially more accurate than mammography Cone-beam breast CT provides exceptional tissue contrast and can potentially reduce examination time with comparable radiation dose to conventional 2D mammography, according to a study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. Researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, investigated the feasibility of diagnostic breast imaging using a flat-panel, detectorbased, cone-beam CT system. The researchers said that cone-beam CT may be used to replace mammography in screening and diagnostic breast imaging. [ Varian’s Novalis Tx ] PwC: Top 2008 healthcare issues PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute identifies eight issues that it believes will dominate the healthcare industry in 2008: 1. Retirees will play a greater role in funding their healthcare coverage. 2. New Medicare payment system will create hospital winners and losers. 3. Retail health clinics will challenge Study: Investing in health IT, incentive plans could save $456B Investment in a universal healthcare program, combined with incentive plans and investments in health IT adoption could result in $456 billion in reduced spending over 10 years, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. Along with additional healthcare policy initiatives, the report estimates that the U.S. could save more than $1.5 trillion. The Commonwealth Fund analyzed 15 federal health policy options for their potential to lower spending over the next 10 years. The report estimates that $88 billion could be saved by accelerating healthcare providers’ adoption of health IT. 12 Health Imaging & IT | February 2008 CTA may be effective peripheral arterial disease management CT angiography (CTA) should be used in the management of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), according to research published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. “The diagnostic standard for the evaluation of PAOD is digital subtraction angiography, even though this technique has several disadvantages such as invasiveness and high cost,” the authors wrote. The researchers found that CTA exams performed in a clinical setting indicate that CTA can provide all the information needed for the triage and clinical care of patients with stage IIb PAOD. primary-care models. 4. Individual health insurance could expand. 5. FDA tightens drug and medical device safety standards. 6. IRS to seek full accounting of hospital community benefit. 7. Increased merger and acquisition activity between pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. 8. Asia plays bigger role in the pharmaceutical industry, but safety concerns loom. STAY CONNECTED: For daily news, log onto HealthImaging.com HealthImaging.com http://HealthImaging.com http://HealthImaging.com

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Health Imaging & IT - February 2008 Contents On the Web The Enterprise News Update Cover Story: Enterprise Image Management Makes the Grade Modality Update Special Section: Health IT: Image Management Special Section: Health IT: PCs on the Move Convention Spotlight Technology Outlook Technology Update Reader's Resource Stat Sheet

Health Imaging & IT - February 2008

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