New Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology Topics Released

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has announced updated appropriateness criteria for 227 topics with more than 1,100 clinical indications for radiology professionals.

The evidence-based guidelines help healthcare providers select the most suitable medical imaging exam for a clinical condition, and are continuously reviewed and updated.

The ACR (Reston VA, US) is a professional medical society that supports radiology professionals and radiological care. The guidelines, also referred to as specified Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC), are part of the US Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) legislation, and an expert panel of clinicians from each medical specialty develops the criteria. The new release includes seven new diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology topics, and 19 updated ones. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are available on the ACR website.

Chair of the ACR Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology Appropriateness Criteria Committee, E. Kent Yucel, MD, FACR, said, “Use of these guidelines in exam ordering ensures that the right patient gets the right scan for the right indication and has been shown to improve quality, reduce unwarranted scans and lower imaging costs. The guidelines allow providers to educate themselves regarding the latest evidence-based approach to medical imaging for a given procedure without disrupting the doctor-patient relationship or delaying needed care.”

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