News | Press Releases

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June 14, 2012

AHRA AND TOSHIBA ANNOUNCE FIFTH ANNUAL PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST PROGRAM

Putting Patients First Program Funds Grants Focused on Providing Education and Improving Patient Care

TUSTIN, Calif., June 14, 2012 – To help hospitals and imaging centers build new or expand upon existing education and patient care initiatives, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management announces the fifth year of its Putting Patients First Program. Putting Patients First grants provide healthcare facilities with the resources to improve imaging quality and safety for patients and 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) to fund programs, trainings or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety in CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular imaging. 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. 

“The Putting Patients First grants provide healthcare facilities with resources that otherwise might not be available,” said Luann Culbreth, CRA, FAHRA, president, AHRA. “These grants allow hospitals and health systems to implement patient safety or educational programs to enhance the care they provide to their patients and communities.”

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

“Toshiba is dedicated to developing long-term relationships with healthcare facilities to improve the quality of patient care,” said Cathy Wolfe, senior director, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Toshiba. “The Putting Patients First Program offers resources to healthcare facilities to develop innovative programs to improve patient safety and comfort, while also providing them the chance to become leaders in their field by sharing their best practices with other healthcare facilities.”

All eligible facilities are encouraged to apply by completing an application at www.ahraonline.org or www.medical.toshiba.com. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2012.

About AHRA

AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management is the preeminent organization for leaders in medical imaging. AHRA offers a complete slate of professional development programs, including a comprehensive selection of education conferences and seminars through its Leadership Institute, diverse networking opportunities, award-winning publications and the Certified Radiology Administrator credential. Founded in 1973, AHRA’s more than 4,000 members represent management at all levels for freestanding imaging centers, hospital imaging departments and group practices. More information about AHRA can be found at www.ahraonline.org.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. For more information, visit the TAMS 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.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products, spanning digital products, such as LCD TVs, notebook PCs and hard disc drives; electronic devices and components, such as semiconductors; social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 490 companies, with 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US $74 billion).