Quality and Patient Safety in Imaging

The appropriate utilization of imaging technology is an important concern in today's rapidly changing health care environment. Recent advances occurring in imaging modalities such as Multi-Slice CT, interventional radiology, MRI, and nuclear medicine have had a significant impact on the safety and quality of patient care. Quality and Patient Safety in Imaging presents a comprehensive overview of the current issues involved in the creation of programs and protocols to ensure uniform standards of quality and safety are maintained in diagnostic imaging procedures. The book is intended as a reference source not only for imaging professionals, but also for referring clinicians and allied health workers who utilize imaging services for patient care. Chapters address such topics as performance and process improvements developing within imaging centers at health care facilities, radiation standards and appropriateness criteria developed by societies such as the American College of Radiology, and ongoing initiatives for maintaining professional assessment criteria for imaging professionals and support staff. In addition, evidence-based imaging data will be used to present quality and safety issues within each imaging modality, and patient-care topics will be addressed, such as medication management, communication, and customer service issues.