RT Journal
A1 Neeman N, Quinn K, Soni K, Mourad M, Sehgal NL
T1 Reducing radiology use on an inpatient medical service: Choosing wisely
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD November 12
VO 172
IS 20
SP 1606
OP 1608
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.4293
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.4293
AB 
Diagnostic imaging costs and use are increasing rapidly without clear evidence of incremental benefit.1 Approximately 20% to 50% of these tests fail to provide information that improves clinical care; more alarming, the prevalence of unnecessary radiation exposure or subsequent testing may generate patient harm.2- 4 Addressing these facts and the burgeoning costs associated with test overuse provides an opportunity to change physician behavior. Because cost consciousness and physician stewardship are not a standard curricular focus in medical ecucation,5- 6 optimizing physicians' test ordering behavior can also align educational imperatives with a value-based initiative. Herein, we present the results of a quality-improvement intervention that evaluated the impact of providing cost, utilization, and radiation exposure data on radiology test ordering practices.