Repeat imaging rates were higher among non-physician practitioners compared to radiologists, according to a study published Sept. 17 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Led by researchers from Reston, Va.-based Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, the study used CMS data to analyze 1,397,002 imaging studies from 2013 to 2022.
Here are three notes from the study:
- Repeat imaging occurred for 12.5% of the 1,397,002 imaging studies.
- Repeated imaging rates were higher among NPPs versus radiologists across all studied modalities, at 20.4% versus 14.6% for X-ray, 11.6% versus 4.5% for ultrasound and 8.8% versus 3.8% for magnetic resonance.
- The findings show that “potential excess reimaging has implications for unnecessary care,” the study authors wrote.
Read the full study here.
