[January 26, 2015]

AHRA and Toshiba Announce 2014 Putting Patients First Grant Winners

Seven leading healthcare providers were selected as recipients of 2014 Putting Patients First grants and now, using these grants, can create or expand education and training to improve the patient experience and safety in diagnostic imaging.

In the seventh year of the grant program, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) and Toshiba (News - Alert) America Medical Systems, Inc. awarded one grant of up to $20,000 to an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN)/hospital system and six grants of up to $7,500-three focused on pediatrics, and three on overall patient care.

"As new healthcare initiatives continue to change our industry, programs like Putting Patients First are more important than ever to improve patient care and safety," said David Fox, AHRA president, CRA, FAHRA. "The financial support from these grants allows hospitals to continue their pursuit of establishing programs with innovative technology to offer the highest quality of care to their patients."

The IDN grant has been awarded to:

• Nemours Children's Health System (Orlando, Fla.) - will create an interactive application to be used at the point of care to reduce anxiety and provide patients and their family members with more detailed information on upcoming diagnostic exams.

Pediatric and overall care grants have been awarded to:

• Children's Hospital Los Angeles (Los Angeles) - will review CT exam history to determine ways to increase the utilization of Rapid-Sequence MRI and reduce radiation exposure for the evaluation of hydrocephalus in pediatric patients.
• SUNY Upstate University Hospital (Syracuse, N.Y.) - will create a child-friendly environment in its fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine rooms to reduce radiation dosage and sedation usage, and increase patient and family satisfaction.
• University of Maryland Medical System (Baltimore) - will create a new training program to teach its radiology technologists how to approach and interact with children undergoing medical imaging.
• Ozarks Community Hospital of Gravette (Gravette, Ark.) - will establish a comprehensive pediatric program called KidSTRONG to reduce radiation dose, improve comfort, and increase understanding of procedures for both patients and parents.
• Providence Healthcare Network (Waco, Texas) - will integrate an "implant alert" into its electronic medical record system to improve the screening process and safety of patients undergoing MRI.
• Metrohealth System (Cleveland) - will research the issue of "alarm fatigue," where technologists become desensitized to the constant noise during MRI exams and miss critical warnings.

In addition to receiving the 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

The Association for Medical Imaging Management is the professional organization representing management at all levels of hospital imaging departments, freestanding imaging centers, and group practices. Founded in 1973, AHRA's 5,000 members reach across the country and around the world. AHRA offers a complete slate of professional development programs including a comprehensive selection of educational conferences and seminars, networking opportunities, award winning publications, and the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) credential.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems 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 Toshiba 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. Visit Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation's website at www.toshibamedicalsystems.com.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical products and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, "Committed to People, Committed to the Future," Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing "Growth Through Creativity and Innovation" and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in a safe, secure and comfortable society.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today's Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.

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