The role of technology in reducing unnecessary duplicate diagnostic imaging examinations

Unnecessarily repeating diagnostic imaging (DI) examinations can expose patients to additional radiation and place pressures on human and financial resources in healthcare. Through a qualitative study, non-radiologist physicians were interviewed about their ordering practices. This included questioning participants about how they would determine if a DI examination had already been performed or scheduled to take place. Participants described how they asked their patients about whether prior testing had been done or if future tests were scheduled. Participants also indicated that they consulted electronic systems to determine if prior DI examinations occurred. However, other research suggested that patients may not accurately recall their DI history. Meanwhile, using electronic systems such as decision support or computerized provider order entry could help to reduce duplicate ordering, although more research is necessary.