AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc have announced the seven recipients of the sixth annual Putting Patients First grant program. Winners were chosen based on their plan to implement and share best practices for patient care and safety in the areas of CT, MR, ultrasound, x-ray, and vascular imaging.

Six grants of $7,500 each were awarded to hospitals in the categories of pediatric and overall imaging, while one grant of $20,000 went to an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN)/hospital. Since the program’s creation in 2008, more than $300,000 has been awarded.

“Healthcare reform is putting greater pressure on hospitals to reduce costs while improving patient care and satisfaction,” said Ed Yoder, AHRA president. “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.”

A full list of winners is below.

IDN grant:

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.

Pediatric programs:

Medical City Dallas (Dallas)
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.

General programs:

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.

For more information, visit AHRA and Toshiba America Medical Systems.