Overuse of Diagnostic Imaging for Work-Related Injuries

Abstract

Overuse of health care in the United States is a growing concern. This article addresses the use of diagnostic imaging for work-related injuries. Diagnostic imaging drives substantial cost for increases in workers' compensation. Despite guidelines published by the American College of Radiology and the American College of Occupational Medicine and the Official Disability Guidelines, practitioners are prematurely ordering imaging sooner than recommended. Workers are exposed to unnecessary radiation and are incurring increasing costs without evidence of better outcomes. Practitioners caring for workers and submitting workers' compensation claims should adhere to official guidelines, using their professional judgment to consider financial impact and health outcomes of diagnostic imaging including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, radiography, and ultrasound.

Determination of Advanced Technology Usage Level of Physicians Working in Hospitals in a Province

“…Yapılan çalışmalarla başta Bilgisayarlı Tomografi (BT) görüntüleme olmak üzere nükleer tıbba maruz kalmanın gelecek yıllarda kanserlerin %2'sinin ana sebebi olacağı ön görülmektedir. 19 Bu durumda gerek hekimlerde gerekse hastalarda tıbbi görüntüleme ile ilişkili radyasyona maruz kalma konusunda radyasyon bilincinin oluşturulmasının büyük önem arz edeceği düşünülmektedir.…”

An economic impact of incorrect referrals for MRI and CT scans: A retrospective analysis

“…Apart from the financial burden, there is a danger from the unnecessary exposing the patients to gamma radiation (CT and X‐rays) 8,9 as a result of self‐referrals or doctors' prescriptions. Self‐referral can lead to a conflict of interest due to the physicians' interest in the profit 10 .…”

“…It could be attributed to physicians' intention to enhance diagnostics and identify lifethreatening illnesses at an early stage. 7 Apart from the financial burden, there is a danger from the unnecessary exposing the patients to gamma radiation (CT and X-rays) 8,9 as a result of self-referrals or doctors' prescriptions.…”