The impact of ordering provider specialty on appropriateness classification

Damita Jo Carryer, J. Wells Askew, David Hodge, Todd D. Miller, Raymond J. Gibbons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. There is limited published data comparing the appropriateness use criteria for SPECT MPI with the specialty of the ordering provider. The aim of this study was to examine if the specialty of the ordering provider affected either the ordering indication or the appropriateness of stress SPECT MPI. Methods and Results. The ordering provider's specialty was compared with the study indication and appropriateness rating. There were modest but significant differences in general indications by specialty. For example, the Emergency Department group ordered fewer studies in asymptomatic patients (3% compared to 14%-23% in the other four referral groups). In contrast, 43% of the studies ordered by Cardiovascular Division physicians and 39% of the studies ordered by the Registered Nurse group were on post-revascularization patients, compared to 23%-31% of those ordered by the other three groups. Overall appropriateness classification did not differ among the five specialty groups (P = 0.19). Conclusion. In a clinical practice where pre-operative testing using SPECT is infrequent, the rate of inappropriate studies was similar for all ordering providers. Quality improvement efforts in similar practices will likely require a broad educational focus on all ordering providers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)285-290
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Nuclear Cardiology
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Myocardial perfusion imaging: SPECT
  • Outcomes research
  • SPECT

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The impact of ordering provider specialty on appropriateness classification'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this