The growing use of echocardiography--a double-edged sword?

I believe that the growing volume of echocardiographic services is indeed a double-edge sword. On the one hand, it provides eloquent testimony to the versatility and perceived value of echocardiography to patient care. On the other hand, it underlines the significant resources consumed by providing these services. In these times of "do more with less," doing more can have some negative consequences. I believe that we must each act in a responsible manner, doing our part to be sure that the services we provide are truly needed. We must ask ourselves, and discuss with our referring physicians, "How will the results of this study alter patient care?" On occasion, we may find that a requested study really does not need to be performed. At the very least, this dialogue should allow us to refine the focus of the study and provide the most useful information to the treating physician. We must collect good outcomes data documenting those circumstances in which echocardiography improves outcomes and those clinical settings in which echocardiography is not helpful. We must continue to improve our skills to provide the best services to our patients. And we must also continue to adapt to changes in the health care environment. At the same time, I do not think that we can or should sacrifice quality in an effort to control costs. Clearly, incorrect or misleading information cannot be either cost-effective or good for patient care. We must therefore continue to uphold high professional standards and to work with regulatory agencies ensure that the resources allocated to echocardiographic services are adequate to do them well. ASE's mission statement, which emphasizes that we are "...dedicated to excellence in the development and application of cardiovascular ultrasound to patient care," demands no less.