Quality & Safety Program
The Diagnostic Imaging division¡¯s Quality and Safety Team is responsible for monitoring, assessing and improving the safety of our patients, visitors and workforce through policies and procedures specific to our specialty. We are committed to operating under the core values of the institution and the principles of just culture. This program promptly recommends corrective and preventative actions, aligning with the highest quality, safety and clinical operation standards to enhance patient outcomes.
Our quality assurance process
Before patients arrive for their imaging exams, our Diagnostic Imaging providers review the orders for all CT, MRI and PET studies to ensure we¡¯re conducting the most appropriate exam. Unlike most imaging centers, which use generic imaging protocols, our radiologists can access a patient¡¯s records and prior imaging studies and then work with the ordering provider to design a study that answers specific clinical questions. This allows us to produce relevant, high-value oncology-focused reports.
Our team of imaging physicists continually updates and customizes our imaging modalities and other equipment, designs custom studies to improve cancer detection, and routinely collaborates with leading companies to develop the latest imaging technology.
Subspecialized radiologists with expertise in oncology are always available to read our patients¡¯ studies, ensuring that the reports are readily available to MD Anderson providers and patients (based on patient preference) via MyChart.
Commitment for continuous process improvement
We make significant investments in process improvement initiatives that enhance patient care, optimize facility operations and boost staff satisfaction. Safety and compliance are key considerations in these initiatives, and all departments, faculty and staff are encouraged to engage in quality improvement projects.
As mandated by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), residents and fellows are required to develop initiatives to promote safety in the workplace through designated diagnostic imaging clinical quality improvement projects, with guidance and supervision from the program director and the Office of Graduate Medical Education (OGME).
Our safety culture
It is the policy of MD Anderson to provide high-quality patient care with patient safety as the highest priority. MD Anderson encourages anyone (including patients and family members) to communicate freely in support of patient safety and take action if necessary.
Patient Safety and Quality Officers
Brett W. Carter, MD, Professor and Deputy Division Head for Operations
Melissa Chen, MD, Associate Professor and Divisional PSQO
Kimberly Schlott-Gaur, RN, Admin Director, DI Quality and Safety
Moiz Ahmad, PhD, Associate Professor and PSQO, Imaging Physics
Sam Lai Huat Lo, MD, Assistant Professor and PSQO, MSK Imaging
Christopher Bui, PA-C, PSQO, DI Advanced Practice Providers
Zeyad Metwalli, MD, Associate Professor and PSQO, Interventional Radiology
Emily Nia, MD, Associate Professor and PSQO, Breast Imaging
Aradhana Venkatesan, MD, Professor and PSQO, Abdominal Imaging
Komal Shah, MD, Professor and PSQO, Neuroradiology
Haley Shields, PA-C, PSQO, IR Advanced Practice Providers
Chad Strange, MD, Associate Professor and PSQO, Thoracic Imaging
Devaki Surasi, MD, Associate Professor, PSQO, Nuclear Medicine
Thinh Vu, MD, Professor and PSQO, Neuroradiology