While federal legislation that aims to limit patient exposure to radiation and improve medical imaging decision-making for radiologists gets approved, the health care industry continues to set its sights on reducing unnecessary spending.
HealthImaging explained that results from a survey of almost 200 hospitals and health systems around the U.S. showed that roughly 12 percent of procedures can likely be deemed as unnecessary. The research, conducted by "smart data" company peer60 out of American Fork, Utah, calculated out to a spending estimate of $12 billion per year on excessive imaging exams.
An overwhelming majority of the respondents claimed that defensive medicine shouldered part of the blame, with 92 percent of doctors wanting to protect themselves from potential malpractice in case any malignancies were missed. Coming close behind defensiveness as leading causes of unnecessary tests were patient demand for exams and inexperience with diagnostic imaging.
"It presents an incredible opportunity for innovative health care vendors to jump in and assist in providing a solution that will have a tremendous ROI," read the report, quoted by HealthImaging.
Despite the less than ideal reporting, some of the survey's respondents purported optimism with imaging. Sixteen percent felt that they have a plan in place to improve their decision-making in the future. Another 29 percent reported that they used a radiology benefits manager to decide on procedures, and 31 percent were part of an accountable care organization.
With plenty of tools and legislation being developed to curb unnecessary imaging, the $12 billion expense could begin to experience significant reductions in the coming years.
Regulation should keep health IT safe
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a proposal that revised its own regulation of mobile medical apps. The move reflected the rising change of the medical software world, which has seen innovative products be developed, like interoperable electronic health records and mobile PACS workstations.
Set to speak at the New York Medical Imaging Informatics Symposium in New York City on Sept. 18, 2014, David Hirschorn, M.D., of the Staten Island University Hospital, wrote a guest blog on AuntMinnie.com about the FDA's regulatory oversight on health IT.
He explained that the 2010 release of Apple's iPad and its accompanying mobile medical apps sparked that inclusion of the FDA's regulation over the products. The agency drafted guidance regarding the technology, claiming that the programs might pose additional risks to patients due to unique characteristics, like smaller screen sizes or lower contrast ratios for interpreting digital imaging. However, Congress passed the FDA Safety and Innovation Act in 2012, which brought in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to draft frameworks for regulation of new products.
Together, the three agencies will focus on priority areas, like quality management, conformity and standards, and best practices. While government oversight might cause some radiologists to grow concerned over the the adoption of new systems and platforms, regulation will help trim unnecessary spending and keep health IT safe for patients and doctors alike without impeding innovation in the industry.
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Ronny Bachrach
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