This NQF project seeks to identify and endorse measures for public accountability and quality improvement related to the appropriateness and efficiency of outpatient imaging at the practitioner and facility level.
The cost of imaging studies – approximately $100 billion – is the second largest and the fastest growing item for healthcare payers following prescription medication. A significant portion – as much as $30 billion – is due to inappropriate utilization of imaging or duplication of studies.1 The use of expensive imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is rising rapidly. The Medicare population the number of musculoskeletal MRI studies performed increased 134 percent from 1999 to 2005; at the same time, the number of conventional skeletal radiographs performed on these patients decreased by four percent. To date, NQF has endorsed two measures for appropriate use of imaging in patients with low back pain. This project seeks to reach consensus on standardized measures of the appropriateness and efficiency of diagnostic imaging services, particular by outpatient providers that will effectively improve the care of patients and reduce excessive healthcare costs.
NQF intends to formally solicit measures that address appropriate and efficient use of diagnostic imaging in the outpatient setting among healthcare providers, including measures that specifically relate to the appropriateness and efficiency of imaging services, including both the quality and cost of imaging services. These measures will particularly examine the significant clinical, systems and care coordination aspects involved in the efficient delivery of high-quality services.
The candidate measures will be considered for NQF endorsement as voluntary consensus standards. Agreement around the recommendations will be developed through NQF’s formal Consensus Development Process (version 1.8). This project, like all NQF activities, involves the active participation of representatives from across the spectrum of healthcare stakeholders and is guided by a Steering Committee. .
Funding for this project has been provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For more information, contact Del M. Conyers, MPH, at 202.783.1300 or via email, imagingefficiency@qualityforum.org.
1 Health Care Financing Administration. 1999 HCFA statistics. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; April 2000. HCFA publication 03421.