COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE IN MEDICAL IMAGING

Abhishek SehrawatDept. Of Radio diagnosisAIIMS, New Delhi

PHASES IN COST

In the last decade, the imaging department has become the nucleus for diagnosis in most medical centres. This is certainly related to continued technologic advances and improvements in the quality of imaging.

Faster processing and rapid on-site interpretations by local well-trained experts have further enhanced the feasibility of performing such examinations, both from the emergency room and in outpatient settings.

Diagnostic imaging is the fastest growing component of healthcare costs

EARLIER CONVENTIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM

DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES REDUCE COSTS

When accounting for complication rate and long term failure rate - digital radiography is cost effective as compared to conventional radiography.

As a result, primary care physicians/young physicians/ referring physicians are requesting diagnostic imaging exams more frequently.

Medical Imaging has developed so rapidly that physicians have not yet integrated the strengths of new exams into their practices or accounted for their limitations.

Tests are therefore ordered without a firm knowledge of what they can contribute to diagnostic certainty .

Patients often demand tests, and physicians placate them by complying.

USG in the emergency department for patients with abdominal pain.

Self-referral for unnecessary and/or inappropriate imaging services not only increases out-of-pocket costs for consumers, but also contributes to overall health care costs.

The inappropriate use of diagnostic imaging, and the resulting unnecessary exposure to radiation in some cases, have implications for both the quality and cost of health care.

PHYSICIAN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN IMAGING EQUIPMENT.

As a result, the cost of diagnostic imaging has been growing faster than prescription drug costs.

Health insurance plans are pursuing strategies designed to improve quality and reduce costs by promoting the appropriate use of diagnostic imaging.

DO RADIOLOGISTS CONTROL IMAGING STUDIES ?

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING IS THE FASTEST GROWING COMPONENT OF HEALTHCARE COSTS. Up to a third of imaging

procedures may be inappropriate. Worse still, 20% to 50% of high-

tech, high-cost imaging does not contribute useful diagnostic information .

Patient Safety – Right Test at the Right Time

Efficiency in work address the cost-effectiveness of procedures.

Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) is a key to reduce cost.