Toshiba, AHRA announce recipients of fourth annual Putting Patients First grant program

Helping hospitals, imaging centers and health systems 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 fourth annual Putting Patients First grant program.

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.

"Putting Patients First grants enable healthcare facilities to implement innovative programs that enhance diagnostic imaging productivity and safety," said Luann Culbreth, AHRA President, CRA, FAHRA. "These facilities share their initiatives with other hospitals and institutions, providing benefits well beyond these seven recipients."

The IDN grant was awarded to:

• Texas Children's Hospital (Houston, Texas) - Use of MRI to Replace CT in the Imaging of Appendicitis in Children: will conduct a four month study assessing the effectiveness of using MR as the primary imaging tool for pediatric appendicitis.

The three winning pediatric programs include:

• Fairview Health System (St. Paul, Minn.) - Initiative to Reduce Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging: will implement a web-based educational program for families, patients and providers of pediatric patients suffering from traumatic brain injuries and appendicitis.
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital (Cincinnati, Ohio) - Enhancing the Patient and Family Experience in a Children's Radiology Department Through the Use of Tablet Computers: will provide pediatric patients with iPads as a calming tool instead of using sedation or anesthesia.
• Bronson Methodist Hospital (Kalamazoo, Mich.) - Video Visits: Using Media to Ease the Pediatric Imaging Process: will develop an instructional video on the imaging process and offer information on radiation dose to prepare children and parents before an exam.

The three general program winners include:

• St. Vincent Medical Center (Bridgeport, Conn.) - Exposing Safety: Strategies for Radiation Protection: will create an online educational tool to heighten awareness for its radiation safety program.
• John T. Mather Memorial Hospital (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) - Reducing CT Scan Cumulative Dose: will educate patients and providers about the risks of radiation and install software that records dose information.
• Harnett Health Betsy Johnson Hospital (Dunn, N.C.) - Medical Imaging to Pharmacy: will obtain measurable outcomes of its Medical Imaging to Pharmacy program that encourages greater coordination and communication.

"Toshiba strives to develop innovative medical imaging technology that is comfortable for patients and aids healthcare providers," said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. "In its fourth year, the Putting Patients First program sparks innovation for improvements in imaging processes."