American Imaging Management conducted a customer case study that found prospective clinical review for echocardiography improves the clinical appropriateness of cardiac imaging services, helping prevent the incidence of unnecessary utilization, according to an AIM news release.
Under AIM's clinical review program, a provider ordering stress, resting or transesophageal echocardiography contacted AIM via phone or its self-service web portal to provide demographic and clinical information for the services. AIM then evaluated the request using the coronary artery disease risk scoring test and other tools.
The program decreased echocardiography utilization by 18 percent from 2008, when the program was implemented, to 2010. The program also decreased unnecessary healthcare spending and improved patient safety.
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Under AIM's clinical review program, a provider ordering stress, resting or transesophageal echocardiography contacted AIM via phone or its self-service web portal to provide demographic and clinical information for the services. AIM then evaluated the request using the coronary artery disease risk scoring test and other tools.
The program decreased echocardiography utilization by 18 percent from 2008, when the program was implemented, to 2010. The program also decreased unnecessary healthcare spending and improved patient safety.
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