Toshiba, AHRA announce recipients of 2013 Putting Patients First grant program

Helping facilities develop or improve existing education and patient care initiatives in diagnostic imaging, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. announced the seven recipients of the sixth annual Putting Patients First grant program. Recipients were judged on their program plan and ability to share best practices for improving patient care and safety in CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular imaging.

"Healthcare reform is putting greater pressure on hospitals to reduce costs while improving patient care and satisfaction," said Ed Yoder, AHRA president, CRA, FAHRA. "These grants make it possible for healthcare facilities of any type or size to create or expand programs or training that address their specific challenges and meet this nationwide goal."

Six grants of up to $7,500 were awarded to hospitals, three focused on pediatrics and three on overall imaging, and one grant of up to $20,000 was awarded to an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN)/hospital system.

IDN grant awarded to:

• OhioHealth (Columbus, Ohio) - OhioHealth's Lung Cancer Screening Program: will use a video developed and produced by OhioHealth Cancer Services to highlight the advantages of a comprehensive approach to lung cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, as well as the importance of smoking cessation.

Three pediatric programs:

• Medical City Dallas (Dallas, Texas) - City Scans for Kids: will create an interactive website that increases preparation and decreases stress and anxiety prior to radiology procedures.
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (Baton Rouge, La.) - Reducing Cervical Spine Imaging in Pediatric Trauma Patients less than Age 11: will use a research-supported pediatric cervical spine clearance protocol to reduce radiation exposure in children younger than 11 years who present to the pediatric trauma service.
• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.) - Brave Kid Capes/Super Hero Support: will help minimize the anxiety that younger patients often sense when undergoing radiology imaging examinations.

Three general program winners:

• San Joaquin General Hospital (French Camp, Calif.) - Agents of Shielding: will train medical and resident staffs regarding radiation protection when using radiation-producing imaging devices.
• Riddle Hospital (Media, Pa.) - Reducing Radiation Exposure within the Interventional Cardiology Lab: will evaluate current protocols and implement new techniques involving the use of shielding, time of exposure and positioning during procedures.
• Blue Mountain Hospital (John Day, Ore.) - Acquiring MRI Safe Wheelchair and Gurney: will improve patient comfort by eliminating the need for patients who are unable to walk easily to make the painful journey from the shielded area into the scan room.

"Toshiba puts customers first by developing solutions for healthcare facilities, helping them make the most of their resources while improving the delivery of care to their patients," said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. "These grants make educational programs attainable for healthcare facilities to truly improve patient care and satisfaction, while offering them the opportunity to be role models as they share best practices with other providers."

In addition to receiving grants, all winning programs will be featured in an AHRA publication. The Putting Patients First program is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. Since the program's inception in 2008, more than $300,000 has been awarded.