American college of radiology updates imaging appropriateness criteria with 13 new topics

The American College of Radiology has added more than a dozen new topics to its imaging appropriateness criteria while revising several more, officials announced on Monday.

ACR’s update covers several clinical scenarios, such as breast imaging in transgender patients, or staging and follow-up for primary vaginal cancer. The college additionally revised five other topics, with all including a narrative, evidence table and summary of relevant scientific literature.

“ACR Appropriateness Criteria creates consistent behaviors for medical imaging and interventional radiology procedures for all patients,” Mark Lockhart, MD, chair of the committee that oversees the criteria, said in a statement. “By employing these guidelines, providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology.”

These criteria were first introduced back in 1993 and determined by a panel of experts in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology. Today, the ACR now covers 211 topics and more than 1,900 clinical scenarios.

Providers can consult the ACR Appropriateness Criteria to meet requirements from the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, which mandates that clinicians consult medical guidelines before ordering advanced imaging. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already designated ACR as a qualified provider-led entity, the college noted. Radiology Business