CMS Measures Explained: What Radiology Leaders Need to Know

In this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John talks with Olav Christianson, Vice President of Clinical Strategy at Imalogix, about CMS's new eCQM for CT radiation dose and image quality. They discuss how translation software processes imaging data for compliance, key data elements (CT category, size-adjusted radiation dose, and global noise level), and the 2027 mandatory reporting timeline. The conversation also highlights the importance of early adoption, strategies for facility preparedness, and how the measure may expand to other imaging modalities in the future.

In this episode of Frame by Frame, host Chris St. John sits down with Olav Christianson, VP of Clinical Strategy at Imologix, to demystify the upcoming mandatory reporting measures for CT radiation dose and image quality.

Learn about translation software requirements, implementation strategies, and how to prepare your practice for 2027 compliance. Whether you're a radiology administrator, medical physicist, or healthcare IT professional, this episode provides clear guidance on meeting CMS standards while optimizing patient care. Discover why starting early could give your facility a competitive advantage in reimbursement and quality measures.

Olav Christianson is the Vice President of Clinical Strategy at Imologix, bringing over a decade of experience in medical physics and clinical consulting to the field of radiation dose monitoring and image quality analysis. With a Master's degree in Medical Physics from Duke University, he authored foundational papers on radiation dose tracking and automated noise assessment that have been cited by CMS in their measure specifications.

As one of the early contributors to radiation dose monitoring, Christianson previously led a practice collaborating with over 300 hospitals across the US to optimize radiation protocols and improve patient safety.

Chapters:

[00:00] Intro: Meet Olav Christianson

[02:06] From Astrophysics to Medical Physics: A Personal Journey

[05:34] Understanding the New CMS Electronic Clinical Quality Measure (eCQM)

[09:36] Breaking Down the Three Required Data Elements

[15:18] Mandatory Reporting: Timeline and Preparation for 2027

[19:39] Translation Software Options and Implementation Strategies

[26:16] Choosing the Right Software Solution: Long-term Considerations

[29:10] The Role of Dose Monitoring Software in Quality Improvement

[32:26] The Future of Radiology: Beyond Image Noise Measurement

[34:00] Key Takeaways and Future Industry Impact