Cataracts and CT Scans, More than just Matching Letters

So, do you know what cataracts are? Cataracts are clouding inside the lens of the eye. Cataracts, if gone untreated, can e extremely harmful to patients. CT scans are diagnostic imaging procedures that serve a number of purposes, like diagnosing and helping treat complex conditions such as cancer. At first glance the only real relationship between cataracts and CT scans is the fact that they share the letter c and t. There is apparently more to this particular relationship than matching letters.

In a retrospective study of well over 30,000 patients it was discovered that patients who undergo repeat scans are more likely to develop cataracts than those that do not. The incredible part is that the radiation dosage, even when it’s a smaller amount, plays a part. Cataracts are not the worst thing that can happen to a patient exposed to some radiation.

In an article it was stated “The eye lenses are among the organs most sensitive to injury from radiation due to their surface location and their direct contact with the x-ray beam, the authors noted. The relationship between cataract formation and exposure to radiation has been documented in epidemiological studies of atomic bomb survivors, as well as in several articles examining the incidence of radiation-induced cataracts in radiology department workers and among patients who have undergone repeated CT scans.”

One of the things about the study was that the patients were largely being treated for cancer as opposed to other conditions. While the trade off may seem good, cured cancer and a little haze in return, it’s still a pain. One thing to keep in mind is the facts that CT scans have come to the forefront over the last several years and as a result the numbers may actually be inaccurate. The CT scan is not a dangerous imaging procedure but like any procedure it will have side effects. A CT scan is not invasive and often times it does more good than it could ever be bad.

It was stated “After considering variables such as age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of coronary artery disease, CT exposure remained significantly associated with a higher risk of cataract development"

With any study, there have to be several factors considered and once they are considered they have to be looked at carefully individually. Hopefully the CT won’t continue to get so much heat in the near future.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our team of dedicated professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering your questions.

Charla Hurst

General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=cto&pag=dis&ItemID=104323&wf=5584

Health, Fraud, and Insurance

Fraud is an ugly word and unfortunately it has interests just about everywhere. Fraud does extend into the world of healthcare, from identity theft, to insurance fraud, to healthcare providers putting patients in danger. So can we prevent fraud? The answer to that question is yes.

Protecting yourself from fraud has major implications and applications. It doesn't matter what you are doing, if it’s a regular visit or a diagnostic imaging procedure. Some of the things to consider are protecting your private and personal information such as:

• Health.
• Account numbers.
• Banking.
• Social security numbers.

Let’s say that someone says they have cut rate X- Rays, or CT scans and would like to get some info, don’t give it to them. While there are new facilities opening every day, healthcare facilities don’t call on people. Most physicians and groups will build a patient base with the use of avenues such as advertising, social media use, mailing lists, and generally regular marketing channels. It’s vital that you always take the time to make sure of certain things such as:

• Be clear about all the information you are given.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand something.
• Be certain about the process of your physician, from billing to information gathering.

Always understand that no physician’s office that you've never dealt with can know your medical information. You should also always be clear that no facility, imaging or otherwise, can be aware of what procedures you may need, unless informed by your physician. Fraud is something to watch out for and be vigilant about.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering all your questions.

Charla Hurst

General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: https://www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-fraud-in-the-health-insurance-marketplace/

A Few Threats To Imaging

Diagnostic imaging procedures are necessary in order to treat many conditions. Multiple conditions complex, and not so complex, require imaging in order to get a diagnosis and treatment program. An MRI, CT scan, or X- Ray may do the trick, but are they always necessary? In some cases it’s necessary to repeat the procedures in order to find out if certain conditions are responding to treatment, in other cases it’s not really necessary. So are they necessary when a physician has the equipment available? Apparently, physicians that have the equipment are overusing it, in some cases.

It appears that physicians that have scanners, x-ray machines, and anything else available are not yielding the kind of results that are favorable to the patient. In terms of result, it’s cost that’s becoming an issue. Many physicians will order the test because they have the ability to do so. Associated with these tests is a great deal of issues, such as cost to the patient, the cost of upkeep for a piece of equipment, and the ultimate problem that it’s causing for everyone involved.

If a physician writes a referral for himself or herself, to do the test, they are exposing themselves to a question of the proper vs. improper way of doing things. An article on the subject stated that “Studies on self-referral's effects on imaging use have been criticized for their inability to assess the appropriateness of the exams ordered -- a task confounded by factors such as clinical setting, disease prevalence, referral biases, and terminology differences between interpreting radiologists. That's why Amrhein's team wanted to assess the rate of normal exams (i.e., negative studies) as well as compare the prevalence and severity of disease within the subject population.”

It’s important to make sure that a patient is okay but if a test isn't called for, the interest in keeping a machine active should not be a physician’s reason. Let’s assume a physician has a mammography machine. Is it right to send a woman for a mammogram that she doesn't need, especially if she is not at risk or breast cancer. The same would apply if a woman was not pregnant and ordered to have an ultrasound for no real reason.

The bigger problem is that this is the kind of situation that drives procedural costs up, and forces the hands of many providers to put a narrow cap on the amount of diagnostic imaging procedures allowed. In part this is a question of ethics that fall on the shoulders of people that are interested in making money by undercutting specialized facilities and hospitals and performing procedures themselves.

This problem does have a resolution but it will take time. There are likely to be arguments for self-referrals that will refer to patient confidence and trust. Hopefully the future will see a happy medium that will ultimately please everyone, especially the patients.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering all your questions.

Charla Hurst

General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=mri&pag=dis&ItemID=104322&wf=5584

Medical Insurance Questions

It doesn't matter if you are getting a diagnostic imaging procedure or just going for a routine visit to the doctor, coverage is a big question. Currently there is a disparity between coverage and medical costs in the US. Some of that disparity can be attributed to the enormous amounts of conditions placed on patients by insurance companies. If a patient goes to get an MRI, CT scan, or X-Ray they may not be able to pay for it simply because either their insurance won’t cover it or they just don’t have any coverage.

This problem is an epidemic that’s been before legislative scrutiny in congress for well over 40 years. Today, in 2013, the debate over proper medical care rages on. Countries with burgeoning economies are ahead of the pack because in part they have strong healthcare drivers. So let’s answer a question about coverage in the upcoming year.

The question is simple, what if we don’t have coverage?

Not having coverage will require paying fees, an example of said fees is outlined in www.healthcare.gov and it goes as follows:

• The fee in 2014 is 1% of your yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher. The fee increases every year. In 2016 it is 2.5% of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher.
• In 2014 the fee for uninsured children is $47.50 per child. The most a family would have to pay in 2014 is $285.

The numbers don’t look nearly as frightening as one might think, but still, coverage is a major necessity. If a person is uninsured they may get away as long as certain qualifications are met, such as:

• Being uninsured for less than 3 months of the year.
• Determined to have very low income and coverage is considered not affordable.
• Not being required to file a tax return because their income is too low.
• Participating in a health care sharing ministry.

This may seem like an improvement and it may be far from one as well. A big problem is the way this is perceived by physicians and the level of resistance it may face from politicians on both sides of the isle. Unfortunately for the patient healthcare has become extremely complex and in some cases has lost site of the patient’s needs.

It’s vital that practitioners all keep site of the need to take care of the patient. If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our team of dedicated professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering your questions.

Charla Hurst
General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

Do You Know Your Interventional Radiology?

Sometimes it’s fun to turn back the hands of time and learn a little bit about history. Medical history is fascinating, when you consider everything from origins of medicine all to invention of diagnostic imaging procedures. The invention of the wondrous X-Ray all the way to the CT scanner changed the face of medicine as we know it. Without diagnostic imaging we would be hard pressed to find treatment for complex conditions such as cancer. 

So what do you know about radiology? For starters we know that there is something known as interventional radiology. Interventional radiology is a sub-specialty that uses minimally invasive procedures in order to treat complex conditions. Now that you know the definition, let’s go through a little bit of the timeline in order to learn some more.

• 1964 gave us the first angioplasty.
• 1966 Embolization therapy to treat tumors and spinal cord vascular malformations by blocking the blood flow.
• 1967 The Judkins technique of coronary angiography, the technique still most widely used around the world today.
• 1967 Selective vasoconstriction infusions for hemorrhage, now commonly used for bleeding ulcers, GI bleeding and arterial bleeding
• 1977-83 Bland- and chemo-Embolization for treatment of hepatocellular cancer and disseminated liver metastases.
• 1985 Self-expandable stents.
• 1994 The balloon-expandable coronary stent used today.
• 1999 Developed the endovenous laser ablation procedure to treat varicose veins and venous disease.

These milestone developments are just a few and they cover some huge moments in radiology that have led to a far more effective manner of treatment for complex conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and other conditions that go beyond the scope of a simple over the counter medication.

Sometimes we look at procedures as a frightening experience but if we look at the benefits and the historical evolution we can better appreciate how useful and necessary they truly are. It doesn't matter if it’s interventional, or something a simple as an X- Ray, it’s vital for us to always stay on top of every situation by understanding not only the nature of the procedures but also a little bit of the history behind them.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures such as X- Rays, MRI, CT scans, please feel free to give us a call. Our team of dedicated professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to helping you.

Charla Hurst General
Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://www.sirweb.org/about-us/historyIR.shtml

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036249/

Want to Keep a Record? There’s a New App

There’s something about records that’s really annoying. Medical records are especially annoying when you consider that it can take longer than you expected to get them. Diagnostic imaging records are a pain to keep and can prove frustrating. Diagnostic imaging records can range from the following:

• When was the last exam.
• When is the next one.
• What preparations to take.
• Costs.
• Insurance providers.

Often times it’s women who are left in charge of record keeping. With so many other things to take care of, keeping medical records only adds to the problem. Stacey Funt MD developed this app. Dr. Funt explained the app as follows:

• The app is designed to do a few things. The app helps to keep track of what exams you have had and when. For example, when you had your last CAT scan, your last mammogram, etc. When you enter in that information, there is also an area to write personal notes. In those notes you can write questions that you have for your doctor, notes about the examination, follow-up you are supposed to have, or any instructions the doctor gave you.
• It can also help a patient reinforce their medical care and help with communication between patients and physicians.
• There is part of the app where you can record your radiation dose for patients who do want to keep track of the radiation exposure.

The explanation of this app basically describes an open line of communication and complete disclosure from physician to patient. It would make this app even more effective if the usage was, in the case of family, designated. Having a family member take care of that record may help the patient not be as stressed. There is some downside to this app though.

Healthcare drivers are strong but there is still a lot to change in healthcare in general. Due to multiple issues from legislative struggles to constant changes in technology there is a concern that the app may become obsolete. Although apps are always updated, this is the kind of app that depends on changes that may well take place suddenly and unexpectedly.

Hopefully this kind of app can have a long term positive effect and can also prove to be user friendly.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering all your questions.

Charla Hurst

General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References:

http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/low-dose/radiologist-developed-app-helps-patients-track-imaging-results

Bacteria’s Swan Song

A big worry about bacteria is that it often times goes undetected. One of the big issues is that some bacteria can rarely be spotted until its effects are being felt. Some bacteria are good and some bacteria are bad. Usually diagnostic imaging can help the situation by spotting what the effects are and helping develop a treatment program. If bacteria aren’t discovered through imaging, it’s discovered through blood tests. Bacteria are not something that will only weaken a person but it will likely kill an individual without treatment. Women are often times victims of bacteria during pregnancy, such as:

 

• Listeria Infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Bacterial Vaginosis

The above are a few examples of what’s common in healthcare. What’s not so common, but incredibly dangerous is the many bacteria that can be picked up in hospitals. While the numbers are not enormous, those bacteria that are found in unlikely places are claiming close to 99,000 lives every year. The problem is not a lack of sanitary measures; it’s more a difficulty in spotting the possible outbreaks.

In terms of diagnostic imaging, if a patient has bacterial infections contracted at a hospital, they can be spotted. Diagnostic imaging procedures are more than likely to spot the case and aid in treatment. Hospital contracted bacteria have cost the healthcare industry close to 30 billion dollars.

One way to deal with this problem is using UV equipment, although that’s not the only type of equipment. There are newer incarnations of equipment that are not only highly effective but also costly. What’s good about this development is that everyone from pregnant women to other patients are able to feel less concerned in terms something unexpected happening.

Hopefully in the future this will not be as big a problem as it is right now. With a strong push on diagnostic imaging as well as greater equipment in use for the purpose of taking care of bacteria, things will improve.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our staff of dedicated professionals here at Clermont Radiology is looking forward to answering all your questions.

Charla Hurst

General Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com