The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) announced efforts to help physicians prepare for the nationwide switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 ahead of the October 1 deadline. In response to requests from the provider community, CMS is releasing additional guidance that will allow for flexibility in the claims auditing and quality reporting process as the medical community gains experience using the new ICD-10 code set for medical diagnoses and inpatient hospital procedures.

Carestream is expanding into new imaging modalities — cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and ultrasound — and key advances in these areas will be demonstrated at the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) conference July 19-22. For cone beam CT, which is currently undergoing patient studies, a conceptual scale model will be on display.

Mercom Capital Group llc, a global communications and research firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Healthcare Information Technology (IT)/Digital Health sector for the second quarter of 2015. The comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes across the globe.

Findings from a study in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggest that management approaches for localized, low-risk prostate cancer have improved after years of overtreatment. According to the study, rates of active surveillance/watchful waiting increased sharply in 2010 through 2013, and high-risk disease was more often treated appropriately with potentially curative local treatment rather than androgen deprivation alone.

Planmed introduces a new mammography unit, Planmed Clarity 3D, which utilizes advanced digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) technology. DBT enables enhanced diagnostics, especially for patients with denser fibroglandular breast tissue.

The new American College of Radiology (ACR) Commission on Patient Experience will produce resources to help radiology professionals provide and document patient and family-centered care. Chaired by James V. Rawson, M.D., FACR, of Augusta, Georgia, the commission will also enhance relationships with patient advocacy groups to ensure that patients have a voice in future radiologic care.