Campaign Seeks To Cut Down On Unnecessary Medical Procedures.

The New York Times  (4/4, A10, Rabin, Subscription Publication) reports, "In a move likely to alter treatment standards in hospitals and doctors' offices nationwide, a group of nine medical specialty boards plans to recommend on Wednesday that doctors perform 45 common tests and procedures less often, and to urge patients to question these services if they are offered." For instance, "the American College of Cardiology is urging heart specialists not to perform routine stress cardiac imaging in asymptomatic patients, and the American College of Radiology is telling radiologists not to run imaging scans on patients suffering from simple headaches." Meanwhile, "the American Gastroenterological Association is urging its physicians to prescribe the lowest doses of medication needed to control acid reflux disease."

        The AP  (4/4) reports, "The American Society of Nephrology said dialysis patients with limited life expectancies...and no signs or symptoms of cancer shouldn't get routine cancer screening, including mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap smears and PSA tests." The AP adds, "The American Society of Clinical Oncology, which is meeting in Chicago this week, recommended against using advanced imaging technologies such as PET, CT and radionuclide scans to determine cancer spread in patients with early-stage breast cancer and prostate cancer that is at low risk of metastasizing."

        The Washington Post  (4/4, Vastag) "The Checkup" blog reports that the new campaign, called new "Choosing Wisely," seeks "to get doctors and patients talking about these 45 procedures to achieve 'better decision making.'" The blog adds that "the entire list of 45 (often) unnecessary tests and procedures is online at choosingwisely.org  ." The Hill  (4/4, Pecquet) "Healthwatch" blog also covers the story.