Use of Medical Imaging

These measures give you information about hospitals' use of medical imaging tests for outpatients based on the following:

• Protecting patients' safety, such as keeping patients' exposure to radiation and other risks as low as possible.
• Following up properly when screening tests such as mammograms show a possible problem.
• Avoiding the risk, stress, and cost of doing imaging tests that patients may not need.

The information shown here is limited to medical imaging facilities that are part of a hospital or associated with a hospital. These facilities can be inside or near the hospital, or in a different location. This information only includes medical imaging done on outpatients. Medical imaging tests done for patients who have been admitted to the hospital as inpatients aren't included.

Performance Key
within the top 10% in nation	at or better than national average	below national average	NA = Data is not applicable

Number of Medical Imaging Usage Patients	#	#	#		#	#
October '08 - September '09					NA	NA
October '09 - March '10					NA	NA

Percent of Outpatients with Low Back Pain who had an MRI without Trying Recommended Treatment First	%	%	%		%	%
October '08 - September '09	28	33	25		33	NA
October '09 - March '10					NA	NA

Percent of Outpatients who had a Follow-up Mammogram or Ultrasound within 45 Days after a Screening Mammogram	%	%	%		%	%
October '08 - September '09	10	11	10		8	NA
October '09 - March '10					NA	NA

Number of Outpatient CT Scans of the Chest that were "Combination" (Double) Scans	#	#	#		#	#
October '08 - September '09	0.016	0.045	0.100		0.054	NA
October '09 - March '10					NA	NA

Number of Outpatient CT Scans of the Abdomen that were "Combination" (Double) Scans	#	#	#		#	#
October '08 - September '09	0.033	0.000	0.044		0.191	NA
October '09 - March '10					NA	NA

Data Last Updated: May 25, 2010
Page Last Updated: July 7, 2010

View Use of Medical Imaging Glossary.