New evidence-based guidelines to help healthcare providers choose the most appropriate medical imaging examination for a patient’s clinical condition are now available via the latest version of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria. In the latest version, the ACR updated more than 40 appropriateness criteria topics and added 7 new criteria—including abdominal aortic aneurysm: interventional planning and follow-up, management of vertebral compression fractures, acute trauma to the foot, hematospermia, advanced cervical cancer, role of adjuvant therapy in the management of early stage cervical cancer, and adjuvant therapy for resected squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are developed to help referring physicians and other providers in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. By employing these guidelines, providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology.
“ACR Appropriateness Criteria provide education and guidance—for patients and doctors—on how best to use imaging,” said Michael Bettmann, MD, chair of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria committee. “They are an excellent resource for any healthcare provider considering ordering an imaging study. We strongly urge radiologists to encourage their referring physicians to consider use of ACR Appropriateness Criteria in their clinical decision making,” said Dr. Bettmann. The criteria include topics from expert panels in breast, cardiac, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurologic, thoracic, urologic, pediatric, vascular, and women’s imaging, as well as interventional radiology and radiation oncology. There are more than 175 topics with more than 850 variants available. Via the Aytime Anywhere application, physicians can access the criteria through all major mobile platforms and Windows desktop PC. The app is powered by Skyscape, a leader in mobile medical information, and provides instance access to all of the criteria.
(Source: American College of Radiology, April 7, 2011)
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