REPORT - Doctors perform too many tests and procedures, and patients demand too many
The report, called Choosing Wisely, involved 45 tests, procedures and medications that generally should be questioned when patients ask for them or doctors call for them. In the Report, the recommendations of nine American medical groups representing about 375,000 physicians included:
- Do not order sinus CT scans or prescribe antibiotics for mild or simple rhinosinusitus, or sinus infection.
- Do not do scans for lower back pain within the first six weeks unless serious underlying conditions or signs exist.
- Do not order annual EKGs or other heart screens for low-risk patients without symptoms.
- Do not perform scans for uncomplicated headaches.
- Do not repeat colorectal cancer screening by any method for 10 years after a colonoscopy is negative in average-risk patients.
Is this a true representation of what is occurring, another attempt to ensure the 'Affordable Care Act' is affordable, or an example of a black (or $$$ green) hole that exists in the Medical Industry?
