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Healthcare QuickLinks 1610

Risk model performs poorly at predicting atrial fibrillation

An analysis of electronic medical records (EMRs) found that a previously validated risk model for predicting atrial fibrillation did a poor job predicting atrial fibrillation. The model underpredicted atrial fibrillation in low-risk individuals and overpredicted atrial fibrillation in high-risk individuals. The model was developed in 2012 in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology-Atrial Fibrillation (CHARGE-AF) trial. Lead researcher Matthew J. Kolek, MD, of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues published their findings online in JAMA Cardiology. Continue reading…

CMS launches final MACRA rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the long awaited final MACRA rule on physician payment. Compared with a previous draft rule issued last April, it eases the reporting burden for clinicians and triples the “low-volume” threshold dollar amount for mandating participation, to practices that bill more than $30,000 in a year or care for more than 100 patients. CMS also announced an interactive website and additional resources and training for small and rural practices. Continue reading…

Free webinar: Putting the patient at the center of care in nuclear cardiology

On both November 14 and November 15, 2016, astellas will be hosting a free live webinar:“Putting the Patient at the Center of Care in Nuclear Cardiology” is a webinar focused on today’s shift toward patient-centered care, the importance of patient-provider communication, and strategies of applying patient-centered care in nuclear imaging. To continue reading and to register click here.

CMS taps physician expertise to relieve administrative burden under MACRA

CMS is launching a physician-led initiative to reduce administrative burden and improve satisfaction within the Medicare program, the agency announced. The long-term effort, led by senior CMS physicians, will begin with an 18-month pilot project to reduce medical review without sacrificing integrity for physicians participating in some Advanced Alternative Payment Models under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. These APMs are considered the most advanced models of care under the proposed MACRA rule because they require a provider to shoulder more than nominal two-sided risk. Continue reading…

Risk of ‘mass exodus’ of doctors from Medicare

In what may be the most significant modification to Medicare since the program began in 1966, on Oct. 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). It dramatically changes how Medicare pays doctors for their services. Does it really matter how doctors get paid? Yes — the success or failure of the new payment system will profoundly influence the future of the U.S. health care system. And while the goals of MACRA are laudable, its implementation carries a number of unknowns and the potential for unintended consequences — for patients and doctors alike. Continue reading…

Interruptions are part of the job for nuclear medicine techs

What happens when nuclear medicine technologists get interrupted while working with dangerous, expensive radiopharmaceuticals? Sometimes, these interruptions lead to better patient care. In fact, attempts to control interruptions might be counterproductive, according to a BMJ Quality & Safety Journal study published online. Nuclear imaging technologists work in busy environments with a range of tasks and interruptions that could increase the risk of medical errors. However, the study authors found these technicians have effective systems in place to deal with constant interruptions. Continue reading…

ACC president comments on final MACRA ruling

Shortly after the release of final ruling on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Oct. 14, American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Richard A. Chazal, MD, commented on the legislation. “This final rule demonstrates the complexity of moving to a value-based payment system under Medicare; however, we are encouraged to see that CMS has made several changes in the final rule based on comments by the clinician community,” Chazal said in a news release.“ Continue reading…

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