Altarum Institute has received an award of $8.4 million from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to curb unnecessary medical imaging in Southeast Michigan.
“We are confident, while working with Altarum, the DMC and the American College of Radiology, that we can reduce inappropriate imaging in our community while also protecting and raising the quality of care our patients receive”
Altarum and its partners United Physicians (a physician organization of independent doctors practicing in Southeast Michigan) and the Detroit Medical Center Physician Hospital Organization will work to increase adherence to guidelines developed by the American College of Radiology that indicate when imaging tests are appropriate. The program will also enhance clinician awareness of previous imaging studies that might preclude the need for new tests, and improve the patient population's understanding of the reasons why imaging studies may not be appropriate in certain cases. The ultimate goal is a systematic approach to reducing unnecessary medical imaging.