ASNC Joins National Campaign
Campaign Aims to Help Providers and Patients Reduce Inappropriate Testing
December 14, 2011
BETHESDA, MD - Recognizing that patients often ask for tests and treatments that are not necessarily in their best interest, and physicians often struggle with decisions about prescribing tests and procedures to ensure optimal care in a cost-conscious environment, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) is joining with the ABIM Foundation and nine leading medical specialty societies to develop evidence-based lists to help guide appropriate use of health care resources.
"Delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is the obligation of every medical professional," said John J. Mahmarian, MD, president-elect of ASNC. "The Choosing Wisely CampaignTM represents a unified effort in the medical community to promote best practices and good stewardship of health care resources by experts in the field. ASNC is proud to be a part of this initiative and share our professionals' recommendations for optimizing the delivery of imaging services to patients in need."
First announced in March 2011, Choosing Wisely (www.choosingwisely.org) is part of a multi-year effort to support and engage physicians in the judicious use of finite health care resources. ASNC looks forward to working with its campaign partners to identify common tests and procedures that should be carefully considered when determining patient care.
The Choosing Wisely campaign complements ASNC's own Excellence in Imaging campaign launched earlier this year. Excellence in Imaging is designed to educate professionals about issues such as appropriate test selection, radiation reduction strategies, and laboratory best practices, contributing to an improved level of care for cardiovascular patients. More information about this and other quality initiatives at ASNC is available at www.asnc.org
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) is the leader in education, advocacy, and quality for the field of nuclear cardiology. Serving nearly 5,000 individuals in more than 50 countries, ASNC is the only professional association dedicated to the dynamic subspecialty of nuclear cardiology.