Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012
This Week's News
Summit looks at ways to minimize overuse of five common treatments
An array of national health care organizations is recommending strategies for improving the quality and safety of patient care surrounding commonly overused medical treatments.
During a national summit co-sponsored by the AMA-convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement® (PCPI™) and The Joint Commission, representatives from physician organizations, medical specialties, government agencies, research institutions, health care organizations and patient groups looked at ways to reduce the occurrence of five commonly used treatments and procedures that aren't always medically necessary. The summit took place Sept. 24.
After examining evidence regarding the appropriate use of heart vessel stents, blood transfusions, ear tubes for brief periods of fluid behind the ear drum, antibiotics for the common cold and early scheduled births without medical need, participants discussed ways to minimize their overuse. Among the recommendations the group put forth are the following:
- Develop educational tools for health care professionals and patients
- Disseminate best practices
- Standardize reporting
- Align existing guidelines
"By building on the strategies discussed at the summit, we can help health care professionals ensure that the right patient gets the right treatment at the right time," AMA Board of Trustees Chair Steven J. Stack, MD, said in a news release.
Learn more through several podcasts from the summit.
To post a comment, you must first accept the AMA's Terms of Use.
To post your comment you will need to first accept the AMA's terms and conditions
Your access and use of this Web site is subject to your abiding with the following conditions [and with the additional
Terms of Use
including the AMA's privacy policy, incorporated by reference which must be reviewed before clicking on the "Accept" button below].
You represent:
- will only provide information which you are authorized or have the right to provide and such information will be accurate, complete and current; you will comply with all laws: specifically; your information will not be libelous or defamatory and will not contain indecent or pornographic content;
- you will be respectful and your posting will not be intemperate or designed to harm or ridicule any other person; you will not post with such frequency or repetitiveness that others may be discouraged from posting comments;
- you understand the AMA may employ an abuse reporting mechanism and may block the posting of comments;
- you will present your own views (and not those views of an undisclosed or fictitious third party);
and will not be posted with such frequency or repetitiveness that
others may be discouraged from posting comments.
Your access and use must comply with all applicable governmental regulations and may not interfere with the operation or enjoyment of this Web site by others or with the AMA's operation of this Web site. Continued access and use may be discontinued without notice at any time.
You acknowledge: there can be no expectation of privacy or security of information provided or accessed by you on this Web site; the Web site is made available to you without any warranty of any nature; and your access or use will not create the basis for any claim by you [or by any other person claiming through you] against the AMA related to your use or access or the AMA's operation of the Web site. You understand you may be identified as an AMA member, physician or medical student.
If you do not agree to the foregoing [and the additional
Terms of Use
including privacy policy, incorporated by reference], you must immediately terminate use of the AMA Web site. If you do agree, click on the "Accept" button below to proceed.
By declining the AMA's Term of Use, you will not be allowed to post your comment.
Return to Terms of Use
I Decline the Terms of Use
