Strategies for managing imaging utilization.
Imaging represents a substantial and growing portion of the costs of American health care. When performed correctly and for the right reasons, medical imaging facilitates quality medical care that brings value to both patients and payers. When used incorrectly because of inappropriate economic incentives, unnecessary patient demands, or provider concerns for medical-legal risk, imaging costs can increase without increasing diagnostic yields. A number of methods have been tried to manage imaging utilization and achieve the best medical outcomes for patients without incurring unnecessary costs. The best method should combine a prospective approach; be transparent, evidence based, and unobtrusive to the doctor-patient relationship and provide for education and continuous quality improvement. Combining the proper utilization of imaging and its inherent cost reduction, with improved quality through credentialing and accreditation, achieves the highest value and simultaneous best outcomes for patients.
Bernardy
Mark
M
Charlotte Radiology PA, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Ullrich
Christopher G
CG
Rawson
James V
JV
Allen
Bibb
B
Thrall
James H
JH
Keysor
Kathryn J
KJ
James
Christie
C
Boyes
John A
JA
Saunders
Worth M
WM
Lomers
Wendy
W
Mollura
Daniel J
DJ
Pyatt
Robert S
RS
Taxin
Richard N
RN
Mabry
Michael R
MR
D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011871:Radiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States