An Imaging Stewardship Initiative to Reduce Low-Value Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Use in Hospitalized Patients. Issue 6 (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elias, Richard M.; Kashiwagi, Deanne; Lau, Christopher; Hansel, Stephanie L.
• Is Part Of: Journal for healthcare quality. Volume 42:Issue 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: medical imaging stewardship -- PET-CT use -- inpatient imaging reduction -- radiology quality improvement; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Quality assurance -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1097/JHQ.0000000000000255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-2551

Abstract

Abstract : ABSTRACT: This quality improvement initiative was aimed at reducing low-value Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) studies performed on hospital inpatients. Requests for PET-CT with a predetermined low-value indication triggered a requirement for the ordering provider to call the Nuclear Medicine radiologist to discuss the case for approval of the testing. A retrospective review of inpatient PET-CT approximately 2 years immediately before and after the implementation revealed a 20.6% decrease in scans for low-value indications after the intervention, from 0.397 to 0.315 studies per day ( p < .05; CI −0.158 to −0.005). The overall daily rate of PET-CT was reduced by 23%. Of the 12 low-value indications, 7 had reduced volumes (aggregate 43 fewer scans), 1 was unchanged, and 4 showed an increase in volumes (aggregate of 10 additional scans). Several common indications for inpatient PET-CT that were not targeted for reduction by this intervention also demonstrated large decreases in volumes during the intervention.