Avoid Unnecessary Testing

Take action to decrease waste and improve care by reducing unnecessary testing in your practice.

Why is this important?

  • 30% of annual health expenditures in the US are on wasted care1

  • Physicians are responsible for ordering 87% of unnecessary tests and treatments2

  • Physicians incorrectly assume that patients want specific tests and treatments up to 75% of the time3

  • Wasted care leads to patient harm

  • Eliminating healthcare waste helps to simultaneously improve patient outcomes and reduce costs

How will these tools help?

  • Improve patient outcomes through better communication and stronger relationships with patients, families, and colleagues

  • Prepare to thrive financially in the value-based payment system

  • Improve practice efficiency and satisfaction by decreasing staff workload scheduling, doing prior-authorizations, follow-up, and reporting of unnecessary tests

  • Patient-centered care is associated with decreased utilization of health care services and lower total annual charges4

 

Target Audience

This module is intended to be used by the following practice staff:

  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Registered Nurses
  • Medical Assistants
  • Practice Managers

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Use data to drive improved care and decreased costs in your practice

  • Identify resources and strategies to engage in decision making about various health care interventions

  • Eliminate unnecessary procedures and testing to reduce avoidable costs

  • Overcome Barriers to High-Value Care

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
03/21/2019
Course expires: 
03/31/2022
Cost:
$0.00
Parent activity set: 
Building the Foundation
Rating: 
0

Practice Advisor Content Manager

Kellyn Pearson, MSN, APN
Manager Practice Support, American College of Physicians

Contributors

John Bulger, DO, MBA
Chief Medical Officer, Geisinger Health Plan
Chief Medical Officer, Population Health, Geisinger Health System

Matt Handley, MD
Medical Director for Quality, Group Health Cooperative
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine

Sara Hayes, MPH
Associate, Center for Patient Partnership, American College of Physicians

Beverley Johnson
President and CEO of the Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care

Mary Minniti, BS, CPHQ
Senior Policy and Program Specialist
Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC)

Jessica Reimer, PhD
Writer, Editor, and Owner, HealthComms, Inc.

Juliette Schlucter
Director, Center for Child and Family Experience
Sala Institute for Child and Family-Centered Care

Melora Simon, MPH
Program Director, America's Most Valuable Care
Stanford Clinical Excellence Research Center

Jennifer Sweeney, MA
Vice President, National Partnership for Women and Families

Staff Editors

Wendy Nickel, MPH
Director Center for Patient Partnership, American College of Physicians

Cynthia D. Smith, MD
Director, Clinical Program Development Senior Physician Educator

Samantha Stimpert
Practice Support Coordinator

    Available Credit

    • 1.00 Attendance

    Accreditation Period

    Course opens: 
    03/21/2019
    Course expires: 
    03/31/2022

    Price

    Cost:
    $0.00
    Please login or register to take this course.