The American Medical Association and The Joint Commission co-sponsored the National Summit on Overuse to discuss strategies to reduce overuse of five treatments.
• Heart vessel stents (percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI)
• Blood transfusions (blood management)
• Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) for brief periods of fluid behind the ear drum
• Antibiotics for the common cold (viral upper respiratory infections)
• Early scheduled births (early induction) without medical need
Strategies to reduce overuse were developed using a consensus-building process. For example, the recommendations included the creation of educational tools for healthcare professionals and patients, dissemination of leading practices to healthcare professionals, standardized reporting of data and the alignment of existing guidelines.
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Inappropriate use or overuse of some medical treatments do little to benefit the patient or may even put the patient at unnecessary risk. Stakeholders, including representatives from physician organizations, medical specialties, government agencies, research institutions and patient groups, discussed appropriate use of the following treatments and procedures:• Heart vessel stents (percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI)
• Blood transfusions (blood management)
• Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) for brief periods of fluid behind the ear drum
• Antibiotics for the common cold (viral upper respiratory infections)
• Early scheduled births (early induction) without medical need
Strategies to reduce overuse were developed using a consensus-building process. For example, the recommendations included the creation of educational tools for healthcare professionals and patients, dissemination of leading practices to healthcare professionals, standardized reporting of data and the alignment of existing guidelines.
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