The Intersection of Imaging and Personalized Medicine: Opportunities and Challenges
Personalized medicine transforms healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It’s a term often interchanged with precision medicine which uses large pools of data and research to build more targeted therapies.
What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Patients with chronic lung disease are frequently advised to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. But what exactly is pulmonary rehabilitation, and are these programs effective?
Reducing Jargon in Radiology Reports
The 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law in 2016 and mandated that patients have immediate access to their radiology reports. While having immediate access provides for greater transparency and control for patients, it also risks the misinterpretation of report language. Radiology reports are often filled with medical jargon that can cause unnecessary stress and confusion for a patient.
VUMC Adds X-ray Velocimetry Scanner to Better Detect Lung Dysfunction
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is now employing 4DMedical’s “XV Scanner” and its X-ray velocimetry technology for its unique capabilities to detect and quantify lung disfunction.
VUMC researchers Bradley Richmond, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care, and John Gore, PhD, director of VUIIS and Hertha Ramsey Cress Professor of Medicine, describe their enthusiasm and optimism for the XV Scanner…
The Shift from Hospitals to Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Outpatient Labs in US Healthcare
Traditional large hospitals, once the cornerstone of medical care, are increasingly being supplemented and sometimes even replaced by ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and outpatient laboratories. The healthcare industry is witnessing a broader shift towards outpatient care for non-emergency procedures and diagnostics. Patients prefer the convenience of outpatient settings, where they can receive prompt treatment without needing overnight stays. This shift aligns with efforts to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient satisfaction by offering more personalized, accessible, and affordable care options.
The Imaging Wire Interview—Imaging Veterans with Toxic Exposure
U.S. military veterans who returned from past overseas deployments have experienced a variety of breathing ailments collectively called deployment-related respiratory disease (DRRD), believed to be caused by exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards. In this episode of The Imaging Wire Show, Brian Casey talks to one veteran about her experience, and about technologies from 4DMedical that can help screen for and diagnose DRRD.
The Hidden Dangers of Vaping
Vaping has been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking and has found its way into mainstream culture with sleek devices, enticing flavors, and excellent advertising. E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, are battery-powered and simulate smoking by heating a liquid (often called e-liquid or vape juice) to create an aerosol, which is then inhaled. Many physicians have raised the alarm that vaping is very likely to be just as (if not even more) dangerous than traditional smoking.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the Importance of Lung Imaging
Over 12.5 million Americans live with COPD. The discomfort caused daily by COPD increases rates of anxiety and depression in individuals and can severely limit their ability to work, causing significant financial damage to families. The American Lung Association estimates that the total economic cost of COPD is close to $50 billion each year, including $29.5 billion for direct healthcare expenditures, $12.4 billion for indirect mortality costs, and $8.0 billion for indirect morbidity costs.
Burn Pit Victims with Rare Lung Disease Struggle to Get VA Care and Benefits
Military.com recently highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by veterans suffering from rare lung diseases due to burn pit exposure. Despite their service, many struggle to secure necessary care and benefits from the VA. This story underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare systems and support for these brave individuals who continue to fight invisible battles long after their service ends.
What’s next for the PACT Act?
As the two-year anniversary of the PACT Act approaches, The American Legion held a panel discussion July 11 in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Room on Capitol Hill evaluating the impact of the far-reaching legislation while looking ahead to ensuring that it continues to serve veterans.