Previous studies have demonstrated that imaging overuse is pervasive in the ED, with “defensive medicine” a common reason, experts wrote in JAMA Network Open. 

Since the onset of the iodinated contrast shortage in 2022, countless tactics have been deployed to optimize use of the imaging agent, but many have been overlooked.

Omer A. Awan, MD, and colleagues detailed their advice in an Educational Perspective piece published Aug. 17 by Academic Radiology.  

Norway has worked to address unnecessary imaging in its public healthcare system, sharing lessons learned in the journal Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology

That’s according to a new analysis from Boston-based researchers, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America worked together on the updated document, adding three new performance measures and six new quality measures. They did not remove a single recommendation from the previous document published in 2020.

Although much of the energy consumed by imaging departments is unavoidable, experts propose that small, seemingly insignificant changes can be an effective means of reducing radiology’s carbon footprint. 

According to the DOJ, the pharmacist and those working under him “would ‘fractionate’ or ‘split’ the active ingredient of Technescan MAG3, without ensuring the pieces were equal in size, purity or strength.”