Clara Singer, Mor Saban, Osnat Luxenburg, Lucia Bergovoy Yellin, Monika Hierath, Jacob Sosna, Alexandra Karoussou-Schreiner, Boris Brkljačić
{"title":"Computed tomography referral guidelines adherence in Europe: insights from a seven-country audit.","authors":"Clara Singer, Mor Saban, Osnat Luxenburg, Lucia Bergovoy Yellin, Monika Hierath, Jacob Sosna, Alexandra Karoussou-Schreiner, Boris Brkljačić","doi":"10.1007/s00330-024-11083-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ensuring appropriate computed tomography (CT) utilization optimizes patient care while minimizing radiation exposure. Decision support tools show promise for standardizing appropriateness.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In the current study, we aimed to assess CT appropriateness rates using the European Society of Radiology (ESR) iGuide criteria across seven European countries. Additional objectives were to identify factors associated with appropriateness variability and examine recommended alternative exams.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>As part of the European Commission-funded EU-JUST-CT project, 6734 anonymized CT referrals were audited across 125 centers in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, and Slovenia. In each country, two blinded radiologists independently scored each exam's appropriateness using the ESR iGuide and noted any recommended alternatives based on presented indications. Arbitration was used in case auditors disagreed. Associations between appropriateness rate and institution type, patient's age and sex, inpatient/outpatient patient status, anatomical area, and referring physician's specialty were statistically examined within each country.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average appropriateness rate was 75%, ranging from 58% in Greece to 86% in Denmark. Higher rates were associated with public hospitals, inpatient settings, and referrals from specialists. Variability in appropriateness existed by country and anatomical area, patient age, and gender. Common alternative exam recommendations included magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray, and ultrasound.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This multi-country evaluation found that even when using a standardized imaging guideline, significant variations in CT appropriateness persist, ranging from 58% to 86% across the participating countries. The study provided valuable insights into real-world utilization patterns and identified opportunities to optimize practices and reduce clinical and demographic disparities in CT use.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Question Largest multinational study (7 EU countries, 6734 CT referrals) assessed real-world CT appropriateness using ESR iGuide, enabling cross-system comparisons. Findings Significant variability in appropriateness rates across institution type, patient status, age, gender, exam area, and physician specialty, highlighted the opportunities to optimize practices based on local factors. Clinical relevance International collaboration on imaging guidelines and decision support can maximize CT benefits while optimizing radiation exposure; ongoing research is crucial for refining evidence-based guidelines globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":12076,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Radiology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-024-11083-x","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Ensuring appropriate computed tomography (CT) utilization optimizes patient care while minimizing radiation exposure. Decision support tools show promise for standardizing appropriateness.
Objectives: In the current study, we aimed to assess CT appropriateness rates using the European Society of Radiology (ESR) iGuide criteria across seven European countries. Additional objectives were to identify factors associated with appropriateness variability and examine recommended alternative exams.
Methods: As part of the European Commission-funded EU-JUST-CT project, 6734 anonymized CT referrals were audited across 125 centers in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, and Slovenia. In each country, two blinded radiologists independently scored each exam's appropriateness using the ESR iGuide and noted any recommended alternatives based on presented indications. Arbitration was used in case auditors disagreed. Associations between appropriateness rate and institution type, patient's age and sex, inpatient/outpatient patient status, anatomical area, and referring physician's specialty were statistically examined within each country.
Results: The average appropriateness rate was 75%, ranging from 58% in Greece to 86% in Denmark. Higher rates were associated with public hospitals, inpatient settings, and referrals from specialists. Variability in appropriateness existed by country and anatomical area, patient age, and gender. Common alternative exam recommendations included magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray, and ultrasound.
Conclusion: This multi-country evaluation found that even when using a standardized imaging guideline, significant variations in CT appropriateness persist, ranging from 58% to 86% across the participating countries. The study provided valuable insights into real-world utilization patterns and identified opportunities to optimize practices and reduce clinical and demographic disparities in CT use.
Key points: Question Largest multinational study (7 EU countries, 6734 CT referrals) assessed real-world CT appropriateness using ESR iGuide, enabling cross-system comparisons. Findings Significant variability in appropriateness rates across institution type, patient status, age, gender, exam area, and physician specialty, highlighted the opportunities to optimize practices based on local factors. Clinical relevance International collaboration on imaging guidelines and decision support can maximize CT benefits while optimizing radiation exposure; ongoing research is crucial for refining evidence-based guidelines globally.
期刊介绍:
European Radiology (ER) continuously updates scientific knowledge in radiology by publication of strong original articles and state-of-the-art reviews written by leading radiologists. A well balanced combination of review articles, original papers, short communications from European radiological congresses and information on society matters makes ER an indispensable source for current information in this field.
This is the Journal of the European Society of Radiology, and the official journal of a number of societies.
From 2004-2008 supplements to European Radiology were published under its companion, European Radiology Supplements, ISSN 1613-3749.