title: [Omit what is unnecessary--do not omit what is necessary].
abstract: "Omit what is unnecessary-do what is necessary" is a description of rational medicine. "Unnecessary" diagnostic procedures are not uncommon. Excessive laboratory testing and routine X-ray represent primarily financial burdens. The aim of diagnostic procedures is not to obtain absolute diagnostic certainty, but to minimize diagnostic uncertainty to a point where rational treatment can be offered. The number and type of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures correlate with the rate of iatrogenic damage. There are difficult situations, such as futile treatment in intensive care units, which are complex and must be solved in consensus with patients and/or their relatives. "Necessary"p6 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are less numerous than unnecessary ones. In conclusion, rational medicine-which only does what is necessary and omits what is unnecessary-is an ideal model with an optimum cost-benefit as well as risk-benefit ratio.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik, Kantonsspital Chur.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Reinhart
mesh_terms: D003933:Diagnosis; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013812:Therapeutics / Q000592:standards
vernacular_title: Unnötiges lassesn--Nötiges nicht unterlassen.