Citing the 240 percent increase in the cost of emergency care between 2003 and 2011, researchers have created "top five" lists of emergency department tests, treatments and disposition decisions that are of low value, according to the article in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Researchers created lists of procedures with a panel of technical experts as well as through email solicitations, holding a vote on the value of each procedure following survey results and a discussion process.
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A response to the study praises the methodology used in the development of the top five lists and mentions other professional societies might benefit from following a more rigorous process for the development of industry lists regarding value. In particular, both the study and the commentary urge list developers to be able to make a compelling case that low-value procedures:
- Cause potential harm
- Provide little benefit to patients
- Are frequently misused in clinical practice
- Are measureable
- Are under the control of providers.