The Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) and Toshiba America Medical Systems have jointly announced the eighth year of their Putting Patients First program, which was created to enable healthcare facilities to develop and expand programs that deliver quality patient care. According to AHRA and Toshiba, the grants help healthcare facilities fund programs, training, and seminars aimed at improving patient safety and care and customizing treatment in CT, MR, ultrasound, x-ray, and vascular imaging. The awards are funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba.

The program provides six grants of up to $7,500 each to hospitals and imaging centers, and an additional grant of up to $20,000 to an integrated delivery network (IDN). Three of the $7,500 grants are awarded for projects that improve pediatric imaging, while the other three are awarded for projects that improve overall patient care and safety in imaging. The grant of up to $20,000 is awarded to an IDN or hospital system for projects that improve overall patient care and safety in imaging across the IDN/hospital system. Winning facilities use the support to develop and share their best practices.

“Since the Putting Patients First Program’s inception, it has offered $425,000 to winning facilities that support projects to improve diagnostic imaging by reducing radiation, focusing on education, or improving the patient experience,” said David Fox, CRA, FAHRA, president of AHRA.

Grant applicants are judged on their program plan and ability to share best practices. The applicants’ programs should 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

All eligible facilities are encouraged to apply by completing an application on the AHRA or Toshiba websites.  The deadline to apply is October 13, 2015, and the winners, selected by AHRA, will be announced at the RSNA meeting in December.