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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT By Jennifer Webster Technology Gains Against Pain IMAGE COURTESY OF SANDHILL SCIENTIFIC Echosens' FibroScan Liver Diagnosis System The sta nda rd diagnostic tool for cirrhosis of the liver, biopsy involves a long needle inserted through the skin into the liver. But, a technique called transient elastography can assess the condition of the liver noninvasively. French company Echosens' FibroScan system draws on transient elastography to make diagnosis and monitoring of liver disorders safer and more comfortable for facilities will have until July 1, 2014, to meet the newly revised radiation safety rules, or risk losing The Joint Commission accreditation, as well as Medicare and Medicaid participa- tion. It is recommended that the new requirements in the 2014 Ambulator y Care, Critical Access Hospitals, and Hospital Comprehensive Accreditation Manual, published in March, be carefully reviewed in order to ensure up-to-date compliance. 9 Thomas A. Mobilia is a Senior Partner and trial attorney at Martin Clear water & Bell LLP who has defended the f irm's hospital clients, medical practices and physicians in high- exposure malpractice cases in state and federal courts for more than 20 years. Mobilia also represents physicians and healthcare professionals in disciplinar y proceedings brought by the New York State Department of Health, Of fice of Professional Medical Conduct and Of f ice of Professional Discipline. Melanie G. Gelfand is an Associate at Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP and focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense. ■ 1. http://w w w.jointcommission.org 2. Radiation Risks of Diagnostic Imaging, 47 The Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert 1, (2011) (hereinafter "Sentinel Event Alert"). 3 . N e o m i M u l l e n s , A r e Yo u R e a d y t o C o m p l y w i t h N e w R adiat ion Saf et y R ules?, Au nt Min n ie.com (Febr ua r y 6, 2014); http://w w w.auntminnie.com. 4. Id. 5. Elizabeth Eaken Zhani, Joint Commission Announces New and Revised Diagnostic Imaging Standards, The Joint Commission (February 6, 2014); http://w w w.jointcommission.org 6. Zhani, supra note 6. 7. S e e T he Joi nt Com m is sion P republ ic at ion St a nd a rd s at http://w w w.jointcommission.org. 8. Medicare Coverage of Imaging Ser vices, Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, June 2013, available at http://w w w.cms.gov. 9. Zhani, supra note 6. patients. Recently approved by the FDA, this technology resembles ultrasound imaging. A 15-minute outpatient scan gauges liver stiffness to evaluate and facilitate treatment. For patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, FibroScan may remove the anxiet y surround- ing repeated and frequently painful liver biopsies. Do you employ painless technologies in your daily practice? Join the discussion at mdnews.com. ■ SPECIAL CLINICAL SECTION: IMAGING M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Long Island | 1 9