Helping facilities 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 fifth 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.

“As the landscape of the healthcare industry continues to change, programs like Putting Patients First remain critical,” said Carlos Vasquez, AHRA president, CRA, FAHRA. “These grants enable healthcare facilities to implement innovative programs that may not have been otherwise possible.”

IDN grant awarded to:

• Akron Children’s Hospital (Akron, Ohio) – The Radiology Patient & Family Education Program: will develop educational materials to increase the knowledge levels of patients and their families of the radiation dose they will receive during examinations.

Three pediatric programs:

• Crouse Hospital (Syracuse, N.Y.) – Acquiring Two Movable Lead Walls: will reduce the radiation dose to neighboring NICU babies by purchasing two movable lead walls to place between infants at the time of X-ray.

• Connecticut Children's Medical Center (Hartford, Conn.) – Acquiring Two “Laser Localizer” Accessories: to provide training of radiologic technologists in proper use of this tool for existing 9900 C-arms, which will greatly reduce the amount of time patients are exposed to ionizing radiation.
• Mission Children's Hospital Reuter Outpatient Center (Ashville, N.C.) – Child Life Intervention to Prepare Children for MRI Procedures: establishing the use of therapeutic play to reduce anxiety prior to imaging exams.

Three general program winners:

• The Methodist Hospital (Houston, Texas) – Commit to Sit: focuses on establishing early, effective communication to improve patient safety and satisfaction using open dialogue and active listening.
• Catalina Island Medical Center (Avalon, Calif.) – ACT Now: to purchase materials to improve patient comfort, and implement protocols in ultrasound and CT regarding patient processing and communication and decreased contrast, infection and radiation exposure.
• Salem Township Hospital (Salem, Ill.) – CT Contrast & Weight-Based Dosing: designed to improve patient safety and patient care while providing weight-based dosing, quality assurance metrics, automatic documentation and integration into PACS and RIS.

“Toshiba is committed to improving patient care through the development of innovative and advanced medical imaging technologies,” said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. “The Putting Patients First grants allow facilities to ensure patient safety and comfort, provide continuing education for physicians and share best practices with other institutions.”

In addition to receiving grants, all winning programs will be featured in an AHRA publication. The Putting Patients First program is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

About AHRA

AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management is the preeminent organization for leaders in medical imaging. AHRA offers a complete slate of professional development programs, including a comprehensive selection of education conferences and seminars through its Leadership Institute, diverse networking opportunities, award-winning publications and the Certified Radiology Administrator credential. Founded in 1973, AHRA’s more than 4,000 members represent management at all levels for freestanding imaging centers, hospital imaging departments and group practices. More information about AHRA can be found at www.ahraonline.org.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and cardiovascular equipment, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. For more information, visit the TAMS website at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba. AHRA and Toshiba Announce Grant Winners

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's website at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.