NPA Identifies Most Common Unnecessary Medical Services

NCHC Writers
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News Type: 

News Article

Article: 

Promoting Good Stewardship in Medicine

May 25, 2011

Issue Areas: 

Cost, Delivery System Reforms

The National Physicians Alliance and the Archives of Internal Medicine surveyed family and internal medicine doctors about medical tests and treatments that are often performed yet may be unnecessary and contribute to rising costs. Using comparative effectiveness studies, they created lists of “5 Things You Can Do in Your Practice” to provide high quality patient care while also reducing costs in the fields of internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. Among others, the lists suggest limiting antibiotics given for short-term sinusitis, limiting imaging for low back pain within the first six weeks and advising parents to not give their children cough and cold medication.

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