Resources for Ordering Imaging/Tests

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Hi all.  I was wondering if there are any resources for ordering specific tests or imaging?  I am having some difficulty deciding when to order contrast for certain things (like muscular complaints) or what type of view to order for x-rays (especially for knee complaints).  I was wondering if there are any good resources or guides?

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Here is the website for the ACR Appropriateness Criteria https://acsearch.acr.org/list?_ga=2.5309428.676607075.1601468260-1215318203.1601468260. I use it all the time in primary care. You can go down the list by body part/area you want to image and click on the document under Narrative and Rating Table for that area and it tells you which scan is appropriate to order. I love it. 

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Was this not in NP training? This kind of plays into the arguments of physicians that accuse NP's of not having the expertise of discerning what, if any, diagnostic tests to order. Is there a fundamental systemic problem in NP preparation if folks are depending on an app to tell them what to look for? 

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
37 minutes ago, offlabel said:

Was this not in NP training? This kind of plays into the arguments of physicians that accuse NP's of not having the expertise of discerning what, if any, diagnostic tests to order. Is there a fundamental systemic problem in NP preparation if folks are depending on an app to tell them what to look for? 

I gotta say I've been an APRN for almost 16 years now all in nephrology. I am very familiar with the radiographic tests I usually order but if I'm xraying an extremity, I might have to look it up exactly what views to order for the injury, etc..

 

No biggie IMHO to use resources. I sure don't know everything.

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8 hours ago, offlabel said:

Was this not in NP training? This kind of plays into the arguments of physicians that accuse NP's of not having the expertise of discerning what, if any, diagnostic tests to order. Is there a fundamental systemic problem in NP preparation if folks are depending on an app to tell them what to look for? 

It’s not that I don’t know what type of test per se but I want to make sure I’m choosing what’s going to get covered by insurance. Also, some things I think I can do a CT for and actually an MRI is recommended and vice versa. It’s a great resource for everyone. I don’t think this plays into the physician argument as much as you think it does. Primary care doc I work with is the one who told me about this website. He says he uses it frequently to make sure he is ordering the right test. ??‍♀️

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Yes, I had this conversation with a physician I work with.  She said she just guesses, so I know I'm not the only one who struggles with it!

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On 3/12/2022 at 7:22 PM, offlabel said:

Was this not in NP training? This kind of plays into the arguments of physicians that accuse NP's of not having the expertise of discerning what, if any, diagnostic tests to order. Is there a fundamental systemic problem in NP preparation if folks are depending on an app to tell them what to look for? 

Maybe don't worry about what other healthcare providers think and just do right by your patients. If that involves using a resource then by all means use it. 

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