Patricia Hines, PhD, RN, who recently joined Novia Strategies, Inc. as Managing Director, is a recipient of the 2014-15 Helen Yerger/L. Vann Seawell Best Article Award from Healthcare Financial Management (hfm) magazine.

The Best Article Award recognizes outstanding contributors to the professional literature in healthcare financial management. Dr. Hines’ article, Medicaid Reform: Are You Ready?, was selected to receive the award by a panel of peers who reviewed all hfm feature articles published between June 2014 and May 2015. The announcement of the Best Article Award will appear in the September 2015 issue of hfm.

“I’m honored my peers have chosen to recognize me and my work with this award,” says Dr. Patricia Hines, Managing Director and Care Management Transformation Practice Lead of Novia Strategies. “Medicaid beneficiaries are a complex patient population, with multiple chronic conditions and co-morbidities, including a need for continual behavioral and oral health and community support. As such, the Medicaid beneficiary pool often presents broad and expensive care needs. Success in managing Medicaid populations and in assuming financial risk for quality and total cost of care requires the development of focused interventional programs and new care models targeting specific population sub-segments.”

The article, published in the November 2014 edition of hfm, emphasizes the importance of healthcare leaders proactively preparing for Medicaid reform.

“The key for hospital and health system leaders is to start preparing for these changes now and make Medicaid a foundational element in their organization’s evolution toward value-based care and population health,” Dr. Hines emphasizes.

Dr. Hines joined Novia Strategies in January 2015 as Managing Director and Care Management Transformation Practice Lead. As a strong advocate of effective case management and care redesign, Dr. Hines works with hospitals across the country to deliver high-quality, cost-effective patient care through improved care coordination across the continuum. Patricia possesses an impressive 35-year-long track record as a management consultant and executive in acute care operations. She is recognized by peers and clients as a results-driven partner, with expertise spanning nursing practice and operations, case management, critical care, patient throughput, care delivery models for clinical integration, and Joint Commission preparation.

About Novia Strategies, Inc.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Novia Strategies offers a unique blend of professional expertise that takes a 360°approach to uncovering cost savings and improving efficiency and quality for hospitals across the country. Novia Strategies helps community hospitals and IDNs operationalize their strategic plan through expense management, quality improvement, and revenue enhancement. Key focus areas include:

• Care Management Transformation
• Surgery
• Safety and Quality
• Non Labor
• Labor Productivity
• Compensation and Benefits
• Revenue Cycle
• Pharmacy
• Technology

With more than 150 clinical, financial and operational professionals, Novia Strategies works shoulder-to-shoulder with clients every step of the way. The result: sustainable savings that reduce costs without compromising quality, and improve quality without increasing cost. For more information on Novia Strategies, please visit www.noviastrategies.com.

Novia Strategies’ sister company, Novia Solutions, provides interim healthcare management services for hospitals across the country. As one of the few healthcare companies to offer both consultancy and executive interims, Novia enables clients to initiate critical projects even when facing a leadership gap through the appointment of a highly qualified, experienced, transformational leader. With an extensive team of professional interim leaders committed to healthcare, our sister company Novia Solutions enables hospitals across the country to stabilize turmoil, manage change and produce results. Together, our two companies enable clients to commence projects quickly and effectively. For more information on Novia Solutions, please visit www.noviasolutions.com.

About hfm

hfm is the flagship publication of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the leading membership organization for healthcare finance executives and leaders. Delivered to more than 40,000 readers each month, hfm provides strategies to improve the financial performance of hospitals and health systems.

GRACE Team Care™ from Indiana University School of Medicine announced today the completion of a training and assistance program with Atlanta VA Medical Center. The program is part of a three-year demonstration project being conducted by the medical center as it looks for better ways to provide effective outpatient care to veterans with complex chronic and psychosocial conditions.

GRACE’s high-intensity care-team model is nationally recognized as offering a fresh approach for effectively managing the health and well-being of high-risk Medicare populations outside of the hospital setting. For the Atlanta VA, GRACE was engaged to apply its model to a broader population and to manage high-risk veterans in the outpatient setting utilizing an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to augment resources already available within the medical center.

Doing so included creating individualized care plans for each veteran’s personal needs as identified through home visits, increased social worker support, broad telehealth support, and direct communication with emergency department and inpatient teams. Of particular focus were patients considered to be at high risk for transitions within the healthcare system from outpatient to ED/urgent care to inpatient to nursing home care (both within VA and outside VA).

GRACE’s involvement over the past year has included intensive on-site training, hosting of webinars for Atlanta VA leadership, assisting the Atlanta VA in developing a GRACE dashboard for monitoring program implementation and quality measures, and a sustainability session in Atlanta for evaluation and strategic planning. The Atlanta VA team reported finding the training provided by the IU Geriatrics GRACE Training and Resource Center to be practical, direct and easy to implement.

“Our work with GRACE perfectly aligns with our commitment to ensure that every veteran achieves the highest quality outcome and is personally satisfied with the care that they receive,” said Neha Pathak, M.D., PIM project team lead, Atlanta VA Medical Center. “We strive to be the benchmark of excellence and value in healthcare and benefits, and robustly applying the GRACE model of care will help us reach that goal. In fact, early results show that the new program is extremely well received by both veterans and their caregivers; and our team has reported many stories of how the program is effectively meeting the needs of veterans with complex health issues.”

The Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia, is a Level 1A tertiary care facility providing patient-centered healthcare via an array of comprehensive medical, surgical and geriatric specialty services as well as state-of-the-art diagnostic testing. With 445 inpatient beds, including a 120-bed Community Living Center, a 40-bed domiciliary, and a 12-bed residential treatment program, the Atlanta VAMC is uniquely positioned to serve the healthcare needs of more than 130,000 enrolled veterans living in 50 counties across northeast Georgia. The medical center, also a teaching hospital, provides hands-on and state-of-the-art technology, education and research to residents in collaboration with Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine.

First launched at Eskenazi Health, a public hospital and healthcare system, GRACE (Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders) is being successfully applied at several leading health plans, medical groups and VA hospitals around the country. Going well beyond traditional care coordination, GRACE’s high-intensity care-team approach has been shown to enhance quality of care in ways that optimize health and functional status and decrease excess healthcare use, including avoidance of hospitalization and visits to the emergency department. GRACE may also prevent or delay the need for long-term nursing home placement by allowing seniors to stay in their homes with better support. Through experience GRACE has also been shown to deliver proven value as it relates to higher quality of life, better quality of care, and lower overall healthcare cost.

Rep. Jackie Walorski. (R-IN) will meet with healthcare leaders and patients at Elkhart General Hospital, part of Beacon Health System on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at 9:15 a.m. EDT at 600 East Blvd. in Elkhart, Indiana. Families in Indiana and around the country are struggling to afford care or skipping care altogether because high deductibles mean they must pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs before insurance kicks in. During her visit, Rep. Walorski will learn about Beacon Health’s innovative CarePayment patient financing program that lets patients pay medical bills in affordable monthly installments and with no interest charges.

Media Credentials: Media are welcome to capture the discussion. Call Maggie Scroope at Beacon Health System at 574-647-3234 to reserve a spot.

What: Rep. Jackie Walorski visiting Elkhart General Hospital
When: Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 9:15 a.m. EDT

Please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. EDT. All media must check in with a media contact.

Where: Auditorium B at Elkhart General Hospital at 600 East Blvd., Elkhart, IN. Please arrive through the West Wing doors.

Why you should cover:

– Interview opportunities with US Representative Jackie Walorski (R-IN-2), Beacon Health System CFO Jeff Costello and CarePayment CEO Craig Hodges
– Capture critical discussions on widening healthcare affordability gap as patients assume more responsibility for medical costs
– Learn about Beacon Health System’s innovative solutions to help consumers manage their medical expenses

About Beacon Health System

Beacon Health System is the nonprofit parent organization of Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend, providing world-class care throughout North Central Indiana and Southwestern Michigan. Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend, two accomplished medical legacies operating health care facilities in Elkhart, St. Joseph and LaPorte counties in Indiana, as well as in Michigan, have each delivered exceptional and compassionate care for more than 100 years. These community-owned hospitals have been frequently honored for outstanding care by some of the country’s most respected health care ranking systems, including HealthGrades, Inc. and Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals®. Find more information at http://www.beaconhealthsystem.org.

About CarePayment

Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, CarePayment is a patient financial engagement company that accelerates providers’ transition to the new consumer-driven healthcare market. Powered by advanced technology and analytics, our innovative patient financing solutions improve patient satisfaction and loyalty while delivering superior financial results. By partnering with healthcare providers to make affordable financial options available, CarePayment helps patients get the care they need, when they need it, while protecting the financial health of provider organizations so they can continue to offer valuable care to the community. The CarePayment 0.00% APR payment program is compliant with applicable state and federal consumer credit laws, requires no application, and is supported by a friendly US-based customer service staff. Accounts for the program are issued by WebBank of Salt Lake City, UT. Find more information at http://www.carepayment.com.

InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (NVIV) has announced that the company and the company’s ongoing trial of its investigational Neuro-Spinal Scaffold in patients with acute thoracic spinal cord injury were featured in a front page article in The Boston Globe on Sunday, August 23. The article was published on the front page of The Boston Globe’s website (www.bostonglobe.com) on Friday, August 21. The story was produced by Stat, a new national publication from Boston Globe Media Partners that will launch this fall with coverage of health, medicine, and life sciences. The Boston Globe reaches over 4 million people per month between its online and print content.

“We are pleased to be featured in such a highly regarded media outlet. The progress in our Neuro-Spinal Scaffold clinical development program has been exciting and rewarding, and the role of social media has certainly been a reflection of these dynamics,” said Mark Perrin, InVivo’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.

To view the full story, please visit: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2015/08/21/invivo/4IPQGotWl43ipD3E2zufdO/story.html

About the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold

Following an acute spinal cord injury, the biodegradable Neuro-Spinal Scaffold is surgically implanted at the epicenter of the wound and is designed to act as a physical substrate for nerve sprouting. Appositional healing to spare spinal cord tissue, decreased post-traumatic cyst formation, and decreased spinal cord tissue pressure have been demonstrated in preclinical models of spinal cord contusion injury. The Neuro-Spinal Scaffold, an investigational device, has received a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) designation and is currently being studied in an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) pilot study for the treatment of patients with complete (AIS A) traumatic acute spinal cord injury.

About InVivo Therapeutics

InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. is a research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company with a focus on treatment of spinal cord injuries. The company was founded in 2005 with proprietary technology co-invented by Robert Langer, Sc.D., Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Joseph P. Vacanti, M.D., who then was at Boston Children’s Hospital and who now is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2011, the company earned the David S. Apple Award from the American Spinal Injury Association for its outstanding contribution to spinal cord injury medicine. In 2015, the company’s investigational Neuro-Spinal Scaffold received the 2015 Becker’s Healthcare Spine Device Award. The publicly-traded company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more details, visit www.invivotherapeutics.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "will," "may," "should," "expect," “designed to,” “potentially,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding the expected benefits, efficacy and future clinical outcomes of the company’s Neuro-Spinal Scaffold and the commercialization and future sales, if any, of the company’s Neuro-Spinal Scaffold. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the company’s ability to successfully open additional clinical sites for enrollment and to enroll additional patients; the timing of the Institutional Review Board process; the company’s ability to obtain FDA approval to modify its pilot trial protocol or to conduct a future study; the company’s ability to commercialize its products; the company’s ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the expected benefits and efficacy of the company’s products and technology in connection with the treatment of spinal cord injuries; the availability of substantial additional funding for the company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and other risks associated with the company’s business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies identified and described in more detail in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and its other filings with the SEC, including the company’s Form 10-Qs and current reports on Form 8-K. The company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, today opened the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park. A NOK 1 billion public-private investment, the Innovation Park brings together the research, healthcare and industry partners in the Oslo oncology value chain with the Ullern High School.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150824005434/en/

The new NOK1 billion Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park opened August 24, 2015 (Photo: Business Wir …

The new NOK1 billion Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park opened August 24, 2015 (Photo: Business Wire)

The vision of the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park is to create Europe’s leading environment for education, research and industry within oncology, while also shortening the time it takes to develop new cancer medication and diagnostics.

The founder and driving force of the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park, Jónas Einarsson says:

“This unique project is built on private and public enthusiasm and continues the long history of integrated and translational cancer research and treatment performed at the Norwegian Radium Hospital. The Innovation Park includes Ullern High School, The Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, and Institute for Medical Informatics and Pathology at Oslo University Hospital – as well as global biopharmaceutical and biotech companies.”

The total investment in the building is NOK 1 billion; one fourth founded by Siva, the Norwegian state’s vehicle for developing new businesses and knowledge communities, and two-thirds private funding raised in collaboration by OBOS, Industrifinans, Radium Hospitalets Legater and Utstillingsplassen Eiendom.

“We are honoured to have Prime Minister Erna Solberg opening Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park,“ says Arne Baumann, Chairman of the Board of the Innovation Park. “We look forward to showing everyone the uniqueness of this project. Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park integrates education, excellent research and innovations and will further strengthen the vibrant and innovative oncology biotech milieu in Norway.”

“The communities surrounding Oslo Cancer Cluster are capable of triggering substantial innovation and international economic growth. Bringing medical research quicker from lab to market also comes with the possibility of adding global social value, ” says Espen Susegg, President at Siva.

Unlike other Innovation Parks, the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park will integrate a High School, namely Ullern High School. This will give the students the opportunity to hear guest lectures from oncology researchers and industry leaders, do internships at Oslo University Hospital and the other members of Oslo Cancer Cluster. “In this way, we hope to inspire future generations of researchers,” says Einarsson.

naviHealth and Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., today announced a multi-year extension of their collaboration in managing post-acute care services for Security Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage and commercial members.

The agreement, initially signed in March 2014, will continue to leverage naviHealth’s decision-support technology and field-based clinicians to deliver high-touch care management services to Security Health Plan members receiving skilled nursing facility care, long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation services.

“We are proud to extend our work with Security Health Plan delivering more personalized care plans for its members through our high-tech high-touch approach,” said Clay Richards, naviHealth chief executive officer. “The extension of our agreement serves as a testament to our ability to drive results for our partners through innovative methods that ultimately result in enhanced patient satisfaction and better outcomes for members.”

naviHealth’s care managers have engaged and assessed Security Health members during their hospital stays to educate members and caregivers on care and rehabilitation options. Post-discharge, naviHealth works with patients and care teams within post-acute facilities to update care plans and monitor progress against personalized goals.

“naviHealth has definitely helped us improve the quality of care and service we offer our members. Our previous positive experience with naviHealth solidified our desire to work with them on a longer-term basis. We are pleased to be able to continue working with naviHealth for the health of our members,” said Security Health Plan Chief Medical Officer Mark LePage, M.D.

About naviHealth

naviHealth partners with health plans, health systems, physicians and post-acute providers to manage the entire continuum of post-acute care. The Company utilizes evidence-based protocols and technology-enabled services to optimize care and align all stakeholders. naviHealth has more than a decade of experience managing post-acute care under value-based models including CMS sponsored bundled payment initiatives and Medicare Advantage risk arrangements. For more information, visit naviHealth website at www.navihealth.us

About Security Health Plan

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., (www.securityhealth.org) is a not-for-profit health plan dedicated to providing high quality insurance coverage to Wisconsin residents for more than 40 years. Security Health Plan is a division of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, serving more than 230,000 residents in Wisconsin. Accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Security Health Plan insures employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families, and administers self-funded employer health plans.

Joseph Bismark, a founding Director of the QI Group, has been featured in the latest issue of asPire Magazine. In the issue, Bismark shares his vegetarian diet, exercise regime, literature, and apps that promote wellness and sustains his healthy lifestyle.

“I am a staunch advocate of holistic health and wellness,” Bismark explained. “And I walk my talk! I work out, do yoga asasnas (poses), go cycling and swim.”

Bismark incorporates “rip:60” and kettlebells into weekly workouts as they contribute to his flexibility and strength. MapMyRide is an app he utilizes when he’s cycling. The mobile device tracks fitness activities and includes a training log that records duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation and calories burned.

Yoga is a way of life to Bismark; he both lives and teaches it. Because he is a yoga master at the Singapore School of Meditation and Yoga, he continues to learn about the practice. One book he recently read is “Anatomy of Yoga: An Instructor’s Inside Guide to Improving Your Poses” by Dr. Abigail Ellsworth. The book provides detailed visual references and explains the basics of yoga, breathing and the spine.

Another vital element of yoga is meditation. Bismark has found SoundCloud a great tool for uploading and sharing his mantras and bhanjans chants.

To ensure his mind is as sharp and healthy as his body, Bismark utilizes Luminosity. This web-based application is scientifically designed to work out all aspects of the brain using fun scientific games that can be played on any device. He utilizes it at least 15 minutes a day, everyday.

“I believe in the importance of immersing ourselves in as many physical and mental activities as we can,” said Bismark. “Aside from the fact that activities keep us fit, they also help us conquer self-doubts and fears, to achieve the best version of ourselves.”

About Joseph Bismark

A founding Director of the QI Group, Joseph Bismark assumed the role of Group Managing Director in December 2008. A talented, dynamic and versatile leader, Joseph Bismark lives by the adage "everyone has the potential to do extraordinary things." Joseph Bismark has actively pursued an innate thirst for knowledge, and excelled in his various interests as a vedic philosopher, yoga instructor, bonsai master and martial arts enthusiast.

About QI Group

The QI Group of Companies is a multinational conglomerate comprising a dynamic group of businesses with regional offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia and a wide range of subsidiary companies in nearly 30 countries. The Group has six main business lines diversified into telecommunications, lifestyle & leisure, luxury & collectibles, training and conference management, property development and an e-commerce based retail & direct sales business. The Group has recently ventured into the education sector with the establishment of a University in Perak state in Malaysia.

The constantly evolving group has also invested in the hospitality segment in Sri Lanka, India, The Philippines, Thailand, South Africa and Turkey through a range of spa, resorts and boutique hotels. The QI Group is a member of the Commonwealth Business Council and a Global Growth Company member of the World Economic Forum. Please visit www.qigroup.com for further details.

El Camino Hospital today announced it received the 2015 Outstanding Treatment Provider Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California Chapter. The Outstanding Treatment Provider Award was created by NAMI California to recognize excellence of care in behavioral health services.

“This award is bestowed upon one healthcare organization for providing exemplary treatment and care to those suffering from severe mental illness. The behavioral health services team at El Camino Hospital is dedicated to reducing the stigma around mental illness through their multicultural outreach programs and services and providing high quality care. We’re pleased to recognize them for their achievements,” said Jessica Cruz, MPA/HS, executive director of NAMI California.

The hospital was recognized for its high quality, compassionate and specialized mental health services. Of particular note were El Camino Hospital’s improved access to services and expanded outpatient programs for people with mental health conditions. Collaborating with local community organizations, leaders and families to provide appropriate and necessary care and services was also a factor in the decision to present El Camino Hospital with the Outstanding Treatment Provider Award.

El Camino Hospital has provided inpatient psychiatric care since its inception over 50 years ago and outpatient mental health services for over 20 years. Each year, the hospital receives about 22,000 mental health visits. In addition to inpatient psychiatric care and acute partial hospitalization, the hospital has developed specialized outpatient programs for mothers with postpartum depression, young adults and seniors dealing with stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues that put them at risk.

“As a healthcare provider, it is critical for our organization to address the special needs of our community and to be recognized by such a prestigious organization like NAMI California, is a testament to the valuable services we provide,” said Michael Fitzgerald, MS, PMHCNS-BC, executive director of Behavioral Health Services at El Camino Hospital. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in providing dynamic, personalized patient and family-centered mental health care.”

About National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California

NAMI California provides updated information and support to local affiliates and helps organize new affiliates. The organization has 71 local affiliates and represents 19,000 people to the California Legislature and Governor on mental illness issues. NAMI California educates families, professionals and the public about the recent explosion of scientific evidence that shows serious mental illnesses are neurobiological brain disorders. NAMI California works to provide a strong, coherent system that offers a continuum of care for the persistent, long-term needs of people with mental illness, advocates for increased research to uncover causes and new, effective treatments and strives to eradicate stigma.

About El Camino Hospital

El Camino Hospital is an acute-care, 443-bed, nonprofit and locally governed organization with campuses in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Calif. Key medical specialties include cancer, heart and vascular, men’s health, mental health, neuroscience, orthopedic and spine, senior health, urology, and the first Women's Hospital in Northern California. The hospital is recognized as a national leader in the use of health information technology and wireless communications, and has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center as well as three consecutive ANCC Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care. To learn more, visit www.elcaminohospital.org.

A study published online Aug. 24 by the journal Pediatrics finds a significant decrease in the use of computed tomography (CT) scans at children's hospitals for 10 common childhood diagnoses including seizure, concussion, appendectomy and upper respiratory tract infection.

CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER.

Alternate types of imaging such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are being used more frequently for eight of the 10 diagnoses. Study authors hypothesize the decline in CT usage may be attributable to a growing body of evidence linking ionizing radiation from CT scans to an increased risk of cancer in patients. They also point to the adoption of electronic health records, which allows for easy transfer of medical data and images and limits the need for duplicate scans.

The study, "Computed Tomography and Shifts to Alternate Imaging Modalities in Hospitalized Children," is the first of its kinds to look at CT usage across multiple hospitals and conditions.

"This study reinforces the pediatric community's commitment to think about both immediate and long term risks and benefits of our treatment," said Michelle Parker, MD, the study's lead investigator and a physician in the Division of Hospital Medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "Minimizing potential for harm to our patients as we work to heal them should always remain a priority."

A CT scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues, providing more detail than conventional X-rays. CT scans, however, emit 100 to 1,000 times more ionizing radiation than conventional X-rays.

According to previously published literature, there may be one malignancy as a result of ionizing radiation among every 10,000 children exposed to CT scans. To minimize the risk of cancer in patients requiring sophisticated imaging for diagnostic purposes, when an alternate imaging modality is indicated, doctors may be shifting to MRI which uses magnetic fields or ultrasound, which uses high frequency sound waves to show internal body images in real time.

"There may still be times when a CT scan is the most appropriate imaging tool to use, however parents should be encouraged by this study which shows that physicians and hospitals are likely incorporating new evidence and adapting to provide safe medical care," said Parker.

The study used data from the Children's Hospital Association's Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), a comparative pediatric database of clinical and resource utilization information for inpatient, ambulatory surgery emergency department and observation unit patient encounters for 45 children's hospitals. The authors looked at inpatients and observation patients for 10 specific diagnoses at 33 participating hospitals from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2012. The ten diagnoses analyzed for diagnostic imaging use included seizure, ventricular shunt procedure, craniotomy, concussion, severe head trauma, appendectomy, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, upper respiratory tract infection and ENT conditions.

In addition to Cincinnati Children's, the study included clinicians at Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Children Health in Dallas, TX and Children's Hospital Association.

About Cincinnati Children's

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S.News and World Report's 2015 Best Children's Hospitals. It is also ranked in the top 10 for all 10 pediatric specialties, including a  #1 ranking in pulmonology and #2 in cancer and in nephrology. Cincinnati Children's, a non-profit organization, is one of the top three recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a research and teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine.  The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org. Connect on the Cincinnati Children's blog, via Facebook and on Twitter.