TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Continuing their joint commitment in helping healthcare facilities improve patient care and safety, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. announce the ninth year of its Putting Patients First program. Putting Patients First grants enable healthcare facilities to fund programs, training or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety and customizing treatment in CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and vascular imaging. The grants are funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

The AHRA & Toshiba Putting Patients First 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. All winning facilities will then develop and share their best practices.

“Since the program’s inception, Putting Patients First has awarded 50 grants totaling $490,000 to facilities that are making deliberate strides toward improving the patient experience in diagnostic imaging,” said Ernie Cerdena, CRA, FAHRA, president, AHRA. “Diagnostic imaging plays a critical role in the ways providers can improve patient safety, and we are proud to partner with healthcare facilities as they endeavor to reduce radiation, offer continuing physician education and elevate the overall patient experience.”
Putting Patients First 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
“Previous winners of Putting Patients First grants have made a real impact in improving patient safety and comfort,” said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. “Toshiba is dedicated to continuing to support healthcare providers as they build comprehensive programs to ensure the best possible patient care and establish a culture of focusing first and foremost on the patient experience.”

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