Appropriate Use Eludes Nuclear Cardiologists
The five most common inappropriate-use indications accounted for 92% of all inappropriate tests. (See graphic.) If all testing done for these five inappropriate reasons were to be eliminated, total imaging volume would be reduced by 12.4% (J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2010;55:156-62).
“Imaging in Focus” is an ACC-sponsored national quality improvement initiative aimed at helping cardiovascular physicians to reduce inappropriate imaging in a collaborative, nonconfrontational way through the use of webinars, blogs, and other tools. It's designed as a learning community whose stated goal is to achieve a 50% reduction in inappropriate imaging in 3 years. Dr. Hendel announced that the program has already resoundingly surpassed that target. In its first year of operation, imaging centers participating in Imaging in Focus reduced their inappropriate imaging by 50% from a baseline rate of 10%.
None of the speakers has relevant financial interests.
