In the last 10 years, the number of CT and MRI scans per patient has doubled and tripled, respectively, according to a 2008 Health Affairs article.  Experts raise concerns about the safety and utility of this type of increase.  The urgency of addressing this issue is the increased harm to patients from radiation, as well as the unsustainable growth of healthcare costs.  Providing decision-supports for physicians at the point of care when they order MRI, CT, PET, and Nuclear Cardiology procedures based on standardized appropriateness criteria will mean less hassle for healthcare professionals, safer patient care, and scientific guidance for decision-making.

Attendees of the September 29, 2010 medical conference "How Much Is Too Much? High Tech Imaging Use and Radiation Safety," learned about the implications of increased high tech imaging use on patient safety and quality.  They also heard about the work of the Quest High Technology Diagnostic Imaging Team and results of high tech imaging decision support used in Minnesota.

 Agenda

The Burning Platform – Dr. Gail Amundson (View Slides)         

The Central Illinois Experience and the Quest High Technology Diagnostic Imaging Team – Dr. Carter Young  (View Slides)                     

Consumer Perspective – Denise Graves 

Appropriateness Criteria and Decision Support: The Minnesota Experience – Dr. Barry Bershow  (View Slides)

Speakers

 Dr. Gail Amundson

As President and CEO of Quality Quest for Health of Illinois, Gail Amundson, MD, FACP, leads the organization’s mission to achieve exceptional patient service and outcomes by serving as a catalyst for transforming healthcare.  Dr. Amundson has been a practicing physician for more than 20 years and has served in clinical and administrative leadership roles.  She is the architect of patient-centered all-or-none composite measures, and her work has received national recognition.

 Dr. Barry Bershow

Dr. Bershow is the Vice President of Quality for Fairview Health Services in Minnesota. He previously served as Director for Quality and Informatics at Fairview, directing the ambulatory EMR and quality committees. During his tenure, Fairview has been recognized by MN Community Measurement as the best place in the state for diabetes and vascular care. He is a member of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement's (ICSI) High-Technology Diagnostic Imaging Steering Committee. In 2008, he was named one of the "100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders in Minnesota" by Minnesota Physician.

Denise Graves

Denise Graves worked for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce for seven years before starting her own business and launching  Health and Services of Peoria or www.HSPeoria.com, an online resource directory that lists the contact information for all medical providers and human service organizations in the Peoria area.  She is a consumer member of the Quest High Technology Diagnostic Imaging Team.  

Dr. Carter Young

Dr. Young is the Medical Director of the Department of Medical Imaging and Downstate Clinical PET Center at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois.  He is also the physician team lead for the Quest HTDI Team.  Dr.  Young’s areas of practice include Oncologic and Women’s Imaging and his research interests are the use of PET scanning in cancer and the role of diet in breast cancer.  He is a popular speaker and currently trains physicians from around the world in PET Scanning in a training program at Methodist Medical Center.