ER Imaging Overutilization: CT Scans in 36% of Visits!!

ER Imaging Overutilization... Causes and Solutions.
There are 150 Million ER visits every year in America and 50% of them have some form of imaging. More specifically, 36% of adult ER visits involve a CT Scan and 2.5% of adult ER visits involve an MRI... both of which are up over 300% over 10 years.
Why? Why is there so much imaging in the Emergency Room?
Factors associated in increased ER imaging:
1. Middle-Age or Older Patients
2. Drug Use
3. Non-English Speaking
4. Patient Anxiety/Expectations
5. Doctor Avoiding Malpractice Lawsuit
6. Request of Non-ER Doctor
7. Not in California
8. Not in a Group HMO
Appropriate Use Criteria were attempted by CMS to decrease overutilization of imaging as mandated by law. However, 10 years after the law was passed, CMS was unable to implement the law and has decided to pause all future implementation or enforcement.
Solution: Employers and Medicare Advantage Plans have decreased ER utilization and associated overutilization of imaging upwards of 30% by giving patients access to 24/7 primary care via On-Site, Near Site or Direct Primary Care Clinics and Virtual Visits.
Sources:
radiologybusin...
ajronline.org/....
www.acepnow.co...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.acr.org/Ad...
viewpoints.ree....
hcup-us.ahrq.g...
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[@MarisaYermakova]

I was thrown out of an ED because I refused to have an MRI done. I told them that I would sign off on documentation that I would not hold them accountable if there were any complications (it was completely unnecessary and I knew it since the problem was superficial). They still threw me out. I probably had a file on me since I refused their IVs on another visit and instead requested a cup of water to drink. Always be aware of the nonsense from facilities. Thanks for putting this out there, Dr. Bricker.

[@ahealthcarez]

Wow! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@kristenjohnson9869]

I used to work for an oncology practice and it was no secret that the fastest way to get a patient diagnosed quickly was to send them to the ER. Didn’t have to wait weeks or months for outpatient imaging, etc… to your point of the non-emergency physician requesting the imaging

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@robert-rv8lo]

When most people go to the hospital, the hospital sends them a bill for payment. When Eric Bricker goes to the hospital, the hospital billing department pays him

[@ahealthcarez]

🤣 Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@DigitalNomadPhysicians]

Great video. It might be important to point out that increased advanced imaging utilization usually results in worse patient outcomes, increased costs, and more malpractice cases. And by decreased access to ERs we are saving patients from unnecessary testing and interventions which results in better overall patient health.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@SpecialK711]

Great topic. The explosive growth of free-standing EDs in recent years is no accident. In communities w higher shares of commercial payers, these are cash cows & patients love them.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for sharing your observations.

[@geriatricdoc]

Can you provide us with the source of your information. I do not disagree. I am a physician went to the ER and had 3 CTs. The tragedy I was never examined by a physician before the imaging order

[@ahealthcarez]

Sources are in the video description. Thank you for watching.

[@unebonnevie]

Thanks for the video as always, doc! Our healthcare is so for money!

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching.