Editor’s Note: Slightly Ahead of the Curve
By Dave Yeager
Radiology Today
Vol. 22 No. 5 P. 6
You don’t always see what’s heading your way, but most people try to be ready for a range of possibilities. Whether that takes the form of maintaining insurance coverage, yearly car inspections, or regular check-ups with the doctor and dentist, a little forward thinking can prevent a lot of painful hindsight. This month, we have some tips on how to plan ahead, what to look for, and what may be important down the road. Whether it’s handling a major disruption to your department or implementing a life-saving technique, it’s usually good to be a little ahead of the curve.
Our cover feature deals with how to prepare for disaster. You can’t plan for everything, but you’d better have a plan for when things go wrong. Kathy Hardy has some expert advice for assessing your facility’s needs and preventing essential processes from breaking down. One thing to think about: The people in charge of the hospital don’t always think about the radiology department. Make sure you do.
We also have an update on revised guidelines for lung cancer screening. Despite the fact that finding lung cancers early dramatically increases patients’ chances for survival, many are not taking advantage of these life-saving screenings. The new guidelines are designed to make screening available to a greater number of high-risk people. Beth W. Orenstein has the details on page 14.
Have you been wondering what’s new in the DR space? Wonder no more because Keith Loria has a round-up of notable advances in DR technology. In addition to some useful equipment modifications, AI is increasingly being used to streamline workflow and improve the quality of images. A lot has changed in the past year, and not just because of the pandemic.
Finally, Aine Cryts reports on a method of radiation therapy that holds significant potential for improving outcomes, particularly among underserved women. Intraoperative radiation therapy uses a high dose of radiation during breast surgery to treat an area where a tumor has been removed. One advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require follow-up doses. Proponents of the technique believe that it can increase positive outcomes, in part by reducing the number of times women need to visit their health care provider for follow-up care.
Enjoy the issue, and stay safe.
