“By funding these grants, we are giving hospitals and imaging centers the ability to continue improving imaging quality and safety for children and adults through the development of diagnostic imaging best practices,” says Cathy Wolfe, director, Marketing Services, Toshiba. Applicants’ programs should seek to improve day-to-day practices centered around imaging and address reducing the need for radiation and/or contrast dose, reducing the need for anesthesia, improving patient communication and comfort, and/or improving the overall clinical pathway.

For the pediatric projects we are generally looking for the same types of projects as we are looking for in the area of adult imaging,” Ed Cronin, AHRA CEO, explains. “For instance, one of the awards last year went to a facility that was developing a patient-handoff system, so that patients were transferred from the floor to the imaging department via a formal system, cutting back on errors. With pediatrics, there may be some specific features that make programs different for children, but the emphasis on developing new and creative ideas remains the same.”

Cronin says that this year’s program also features an improved application process and more lead time for submissions. The program accepts applications from any hospital or imaging manager seeking to implement a new safety/quality program. “Recipients will share their processes with our members by writing an article for our Radiology Management journal or our newsletter,” Cronin explains. “One of the projects we’re funding this year even developed a seminar to present to other regional hospitals.”

Six $7,500 grants will be awarded in 2009: three focusing on improving patient care and safety in diagnostic imaging and three focused on pediatric imaging. To apply, visit AHRAonline.org or medical.toshiba.com. Entries are due October 31.

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