Links to 20 new and revised American College of Radiology appropriate use criteria

The American College of Radiology (ACR) recently released 5 new topic areas and 15 revisions to existing topics in the ACR Appropriateness Criteria. The appropriate use criteria guidance provides support for referring physicians and other providers to enhance radiologic care by outlining the best imaging modality to answer specific clinical questions. This can help reduce the need for additional testing.

This latest update includes five new and 15 revised topics. The new areas include ataxia-child, fibroids, hernia, staging and follow-up of esophageal cancer, and imaging after breast surgery

Each topic has a narrative, an evidence table and a literature search summary. Many of the topics also have patient-friendly summaries. Links to all the new and revised radiology imaging appropriate use sections can be found below

“Referring physicians and other healthcare providers depend on the ACR Appropriateness Criteria for consistency and standards in providing quality patient radiologic care,” said Mark E. Lockhart, MD, MPH, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “This tool is valuable for patients as well, providing them with easy-to-understand summaries that help explain which tests are appropriate for their situation.”

Lockhart is the chief of genitourinary (GU) radiology and a professor in the abdominal imaging section at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The ACR Appropriateness Criteria includes 221 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics. It also offers more than 1,050 clinical variants, covering 2,900 clinical scenarios. 

The new ARC appropriate use image topics include:

The revised ARC appropriate use image topics include:

Medical providers may consult the ACR Appropriateness Criteria to fulfill Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) requirements prior to ordering advanced diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients. The ACR is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a qualified provider-led entity.

The ACR said it is also open to feedback from physician on its appropriateness criteria so it can be improved in future revisions. Clinicians can submit feedback or comments on the ACR Appropriateness Criteria Commenting Site.

Related Radiology Appropriate Use Criteria Content:

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Dave Fornell is a digital editor with Cardiovascular Business and Radiology Business magazines. He has been covering healthcare for more than 16 years.

Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com

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