The American College of Radiology (ACR) has released an updated version of its appropriateness criteria, which includes 189 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics.
The updated version has four new and 15 revised topics, the college said. The new topics are as follows:
- Major blunt trauma
- Pancreatic cyst
- Pneumonia in the immunocompetent child
- Suspected placenta accreta spectrum disorder
The following topics were revised:
- Acute trauma to the foot
- Chest pain: possible acute coronary syndrome
- Crohn's disease
- Dementia
- Female infertility
- Head trauma: child
- Hemoptysis
- Movement disorder and neurodegenerative diseases
- Occupational lung diseases
- Primary bone tumors
- Radiologic management of gastric varices
- Radiologic management of infected fluid collections
- Radiology management of urinary tract obstruction
- Suspected upper extremity deep vein thrombosis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
"As we approach January 1, 2020 -- when the Protecting Access to Medicare Act's requirements that referring providers consult appropriate use criteria prior to ordering advanced diagnostic imaging services takes effect -- these evidence-based guidelines are especially critical to ensuring our patients get the right care for their medical conditions and avoid unnecessary care," said Dr. Frank Rybicki, PhD, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria, in a statement released by the college.
