To the Editor The American College of Radiology (ACR) has for decades worked to reduce unwarranted imaging and lower radiation dose. We wish to update the information in a recent editorial by Smith-Bindman and Bindman.1
The reference cited on growth of computed tomography (CT) use includes data only through 2010. Since 2010, Medicare CT use is actually down overall in the outpatient, inpatient, and office settings.2 Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement3 and Partners Healthcare4 studies have proven that appropriateness criteria-based clinical decision support (CDS) reduces imaging growth, radiation exposure, and costs.