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Study: One-third of medical tests are unecessary

Physician Practice Advisor, May 24, 2006

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that one-third of diagnostic tests performed are not recommended under professional guidelines, Scripps Howard/Long Island Newsday reports.

The study examined health records of more than 4,600 U.S. adults over age 20 from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, an annual government report on care at physician offices.

Using guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, researchers focused on "C" tests-diagnostic tests for which the task force makes no recommendation for patients without symptoms-and "D" tests, which the task force recommends against for patients without any symptoms. The study estimates the annual direct medical cost to be $12-$63 million for C tests and $47-$194 million for D tests.

Click here to read the Scripps Howard/Long Island Newsday article.

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