AHRA and Toshiba Announce Third Annual Putting Patients First Program

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthcare facilities across the country are committed to providing the highest levels of patient care and safety for their communities. To help facilities build new or expand existing education and patient care initiatives, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management announces the third year of its successful Putting Patients First grant program. Putting Patients First grants provide healthcare facilities with the resources to improve imaging quality and safety for patients. Putting Patients First is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

“The Putting Patients First grants from the AHRA and Toshiba provide healthcare facilities with resources that otherwise might not be available”

The AHRA & Toshiba Putting Patients First Program will provide six grants of up to $7,500 each to hospitals and imaging centers to fund programs, training or seminars aimed at improving pediatric or adult patient care and safety within diagnostic imaging in the areas of CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular. Three grants will be awarded for projects that improve the safety and comfort of pediatric imaging, and three grants will be awarded for projects that improve overall patient care and safety in imaging. Winning facilities will then develop and share their best practices with others.

In its first two years, the Putting Patients First grant program has helped facilities develop programs that improve patient care and safety, including purchasing bismuth shielding for use during CT scans, identifying patients who may have complications with imaging contrast, streamlining scheduling of patients for imaging procedures and educating pediatric patients about what to expect during a CT exam.

“The Putting Patients First grants from the AHRA and Toshiba provide healthcare facilities with resources that otherwise might not be available,” said AHRA president, Debra A. Lopez, CRA, FAHRA. “For the past two years, the funds have been used by winning facilities to improve safety and comfort for patients and provide education for physicians, which are two very important factors in providing top-tier care.”

Putting Patients First applicants will be judged on their plan for a program to improve pediatric or adult patient care and safety in imaging and their ability to share best imaging practices. The applicants’ programs should seek to improve imaging practices and address one or more of the following:

Reducing radiation and/or contrast dose
Reducing the need for sedation
Improving communication with patients regarding the process
Improving patient comfort
Improving the overall clinical pathway

“Toshiba is committed to improving patient care by developing innovative and advanced medical imaging technologies,” said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. “With the Putting Patients First grant, we are continuing this mission by giving hospitals and imaging centers the ability to develop programs that improve the care provided to patients.”

The AHRA will award six Putting Patients First grants of up to $7,500. All eligible facilities are encouraged to apply by completing an application at www.ahraonline.org or www.medical.toshiba.com. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2010.

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

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a worldwide leader in technology, electronic and electrical products, digital consumer products, electronic devices and components, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875 and today operates a global network of more than 742 companies with more than 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $67 billion. For more information, visit Toshiba’s web site at www.medical.toshiba.com.