Congressmen Introduce Legislation Designed to Boost Imaging Safety

Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have introduced legislation to improve patient safety by boosting the quality and safety of medical imaging and radiation therapy.

 

Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!

The bill, called the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2012 (S.3338), would ensure medical imaging or radiation therapy procedures are performed by a professional with appropriate education and certification or licensure. The bill would also require practitioners to meet education and certification standards determined by HHS-designated certification organizations and obtain state licensure where required.   

The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), is supported by the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

More Articles on Patient Safety:

AHRQ 2011 State Snapshots Spotlight Healthcare Quality, Population Health

Joint Commission 'Speak Up' Video Highlights Patient Rights

3 Lessons Learned From Minnesota's CRE Prevention Project