1. Putting patients first. Presenters at the conference urged radiologists to become more visible to their patients in order to thrive in the era of health care reform, where patient satisfaction scores and so-called value-based payment models will triumph. During his keynote address, RSNA 2012 president Dr. George S. Bisset III, said 80 to 90 percent of radiologists never meet with their patients and that this needs to change. In line with this theme, RSNA launched a new campaign during the show called RSNA Cares: the art of the patient-centered practice.

2. Dose management vs. dose reduction. For the past two years, everyone has been talking about "reducing dose". But "dose management" was the catchphrase for exhibitors at this year's show. It doesn't mean reducing dose is being ignored — that's still a goal. But managing dose is rising in prominence as a way of improving the patient experience and helping to minimize exposure to radiation by introducing techniques for image processing that can enhance image quality and consistency, thereby reducing the number of procedures, call-backs and additional exposures to patients.

3. Patient-centered products. In addition to addressing dose, all the major OEMs highlighted new products and upgrades to existing products that focused on the patient. For example, Philips Healthcare's Ambient Experience solution was on display for the uptake room for patients undergoing a PET-CT. The idea is to reduce anxiety in advance of the scan through mood lighting, video and sound. Barco launched a terminal for the bedside, the JAO ST-185B, with the patient in mind.

4. A fresh look at pediatric imaging. Over the summer, the FDA released guidance encouraging OEMs to manufacture original products for pediatric patients as well as re-evaluate their existing products for imaging pediatric patients. At RSNA, Agfa, GE Healthcare and Carestream unveiled smaller panels for pediatric imaging; Toshiba introduced pediatric use for its flexible coil for MR imaging, which is still a work in progress, according to the company; and Shimadzu said its new 3-D C-arm, also a work in progress, will be a breakthrough for pediatric imaging.

5. Paying attention: is there an app for that? There are 40 thousand medical apps currently available for smartphones and tablets. A talk titled "Expanding Mobile Radiology: Using iPad for Real-Time Communication between Radiologists and Referring Physicians" presented several papers on how new technology can aid communication, but ironically, many audience members were not listening to the presentation but instead engaged with their gadgets.

6. Ultrasound goes wireless. Siemens unveiled what it says is the first wireless ultrasound, a system that features a wireless transducer that could make it easier for providers to perform scans during operations or in other sterile environments.

7. MR scanners quiet down. Silent Scan is GE's solution to the unwelcome noise generated during an MR scan. The solution, which is software based, decreases the MR sound by getting to the source of the noise: gradient coils in the machine. Here's more:

8. PACS ready for an upgrade. Dr. Paul Chang from the University of Chicago predicted PACS 3.0 is coming soon, which is sure to improve communication between radiologists and referring physicians. He said we're at the sunset of PACS 2.0, which is enterprise-centric and web-based digital image viewing and sharing. PACS 3.0 will be beyond the enterprise and to the cloud, with an emphasis on value. He said: "We need to view the radiology report as a portal." In other words, having multimedia reports and hyperlinking parts of the report, to have "progressive disclosure" of information.

9. Time for rhyme. Under the influence of 17th century French playwright Moliere, noted medico-legal expert Dr. Leonard Berlin gave what was probably the first Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology in rhyming verse. Perhaps the rhymes will help radiologists remember the importance of promptly giving patients an explanation of any errors.

10. International flavor. Although RSNA could not provide a number, many exhibitors and attendees DOTmed News spoke with noticed a greater international presence than in years past. To give some perspective, DOTmed attended an after-show customer appreciation event held by an American-based company where only 30 percent of the attendees were American.