Stopping doctors from ordering unnecessary diagnostic tests requires a structural fix

1

American medicine conducts over 14 billion tests annually, with many being misused, leading to unnecessary treatments and potential harm.
2

Diagnostic stewardship improves test utilization by changing how tests are ordered and processed, significantly reducing unnecessary treatments.
3

In Michigan, implementing diagnostic stewardship reduced unnecessary antibiotic treatment from 29% to less than 17% for positive urine cultures.
4

Diagnostic stewardship can enhance the use of various tests, including molecular tests for influenza and Covid, and can reduce healthcare costs.
5

The CDC has called for hospitals to adopt diagnostic stewardship programs, but lacks authority to enforce them without a confirmed director.

1