| News for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals |  |
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The news summaries appearing in SNM SmartBrief are based on original information from multiple
internet sources and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher.
The items below are not selected or reviewed by SNM prior to publication. Questions and comments may
be directed to SmartBrief at snm@smartbrief.com.
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- SNM: Reducing repeat scans can save Medicare $1.32B in 10 years
Reducing repeat imaging tests could save Medicare approximately $1.32 billion over the next decade, according to an SNM report. The number of duplicate scans because of poor image quality could be decreased through the right training for technologists, said Ann Marie Alessi, president of SNM's Technologist Section. SNM is calling on Congress to approve the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging bill, which would create education and certification standards for professionals conducting nuclear and molecular imaging tests. Diagnostic Imaging
(4/24), AuntMinnie.com (free registration)
(4/25)     
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 | The Intego™ PET Infusion System is REDEFINING PATIENT CARE. A Clinical Experience at Kishwaukee Community Hospital shows a 22.4% reduction in average patient dose by changing to a weight-based dosing protocol with Intego (results based on site-specific implementation). Click here to see the full clinical experience. |
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| Clinical News & Research |  |  |
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- PET/CT can help predict risk of heart attack, study finds
A Scottish study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that PET/CT using 18F-sodium fluoride can help image active and ongoing calcification in patients' coronary arteries, which can indicate a higher risk for a heart attack. The researchers observed higher 18F-NaF activity in coronary artery plaques of patients with other cardiovascular disease risk factors. "If we can identify patients at high risk of a heart attack earlier, we
can then use intensive drug treatments and perhaps procedures such as
stents to reduce the chances of them having a heart attack," said lead author Dr. Marc Dweck of Edinburgh University. EurekAlert!/News release
(4/24), The Scotsman (Edinburgh)
(4/24)
| Industry Report | | |
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- CellPoint gets FDA OK for Phase III trial of SPECT agent EC-G
CellPoint Chief Financial Officer Terry Colip said the company is aiming for commercialization of its SPECT agent EC-G in 2013. In March, the company received FDA approval for a Phase III lung cancer trial. The agent is in a Phase II clinical study involving patients with coronary artery disease. CellPoint officials say the agent will offer a lower-cost diagnostic technique. The Denver Post
(4/25)
| News from the Field | | |
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- Survey identifies 5 barriers to stage 1 MU achievement
A poll by KPMG highlights the five greatest challenges faced by health systems and hospitals in their efforts to meet stage 1 meaningful use requirements. The survey showed that 25% of respondents cited understanding the requirements as the biggest hurdle, while 12% said the absence of a dedicated team working toward meaningful use was a barrier. Government Health IT online
(4/24)
| International Developments | | |
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| Health Policy | | |
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- CMS says health care law will save Medicare $200B over 4 years
The Affordable Care Act will save Medicare enrollees $208 billion through 2020 and the Medicare program $200 billion through 2016, according to data from a CMS actuary report. "In some instances, the private sector is leading to improve the way care is delivered," said Rick Gilfillan, acting director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. USA TODAY
(4/23)
| Advancing Health Care | | |
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- "Breakthrough product" designation would speed drugs to patients
 Recently proposed Senate legislation to designate certain experimental drugs as "breakthrough products" would allow the FDA to streamline the approval process without compromising safety, write Mark B. McClellan, director of the Brookings Institution's Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, and Ellen Sigal with Friends of Cancer Research. The designation would reduce the total time and cost to develop the most promising treatments and minimize the number of patients receiving placebo or a treatment known not to work well, they write. Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C.)/The Hill
(4/20)
| From SNM | | |
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--Thomas Edison,
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SPECT imaging agent DaTscan can help differentiate Parkinson's disease-related tremors from non-Parkinsonian essential tremor, according to a study published in the 
