Appropriateness and Imaging Utilization

Modern imaging methods have been transformative in improving medical care. Cross-sectional imaging has largely eliminated the need for invasive “exploratory” surgery and is widely used to triage acutely ill patients. However, how to best use medical imaging with ongoing concerns related to overall costs and radiation risks remains controversial. Imaging saves lives, but overuse of imaging can add unnecessary costs to the health system and add to the radiation burden of the population. In this article, the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACRAC) are reviewed, while the Massachusetts General Hospital experience with a computerized physician (provider) order entry system and other approaches to utilization management are discussed. There are strong evidence-based indicators of appropriateness for a substantial percentage of common imaging applications and where this is the case, decision support systems based on ACRAC or other criteria can and should be used. Standardize health care delivery and elimination of wasteful practice variation can be achieved without the art of medicine being ignored or devalued.