AIM: Appropriateness of use criteria (AUC) for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provide a simple and practical approach to avoid unneeded testing. METHODS: We collected and analyzed consecutive requests and corresponding reports for TTE in an Italian University Hospital. RESULTS: 500 echocardiographic request and related reports were collected. The mean age was 56 years old with 305 (61%) males. 19% of patients had TTE due to shortness of breath. Inappropriate indications account about 11% of the overall population. 30% of all studies were evaluated as normal 54% as major TTE findings and 16% showed minor TTE findings. CONCLUSION: Application of AUC would improve money expenditure. Understand if our country is going into the right direction is mandatory.
Appropriateness of use criteria in echocardiography: an Italian experience
MORRONE, DORALISA;VILLANOVA, LUCA;HUQI, ALDA;GUARINI, GIACINTA;MARZILLI, MARIO
2017
Abstract
AIM: Appropriateness of use criteria (AUC) for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provide a simple and practical approach to avoid unneeded testing. METHODS: We collected and analyzed consecutive requests and corresponding reports for TTE in an Italian University Hospital. RESULTS: 500 echocardiographic request and related reports were collected. The mean age was 56 years old with 305 (61%) males. 19% of patients had TTE due to shortness of breath. Inappropriate indications account about 11% of the overall population. 30% of all studies were evaluated as normal 54% as major TTE findings and 16% showed minor TTE findings. CONCLUSION: Application of AUC would improve money expenditure. Understand if our country is going into the right direction is mandatory.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
