The Miriam Hospital, Brown University, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
J Nucl Cardiol. 2012 Dec;19(6):1170-5. doi: 10.1007/s12350-012-9624-8. Epub 2012 Sep 21.
Today's imaging laboratories face challenges including reimbursement, prior authorization, and accreditation standards. The impact on the practice of nuclear cardiology in the United States is unknown. We conducted a survey of ASNC members to provide a snapshot of nuclear cardiology imaging laboratories in 2011.
The survey identified practice patterns including personnel, volumes, protocols used, and laboratory characteristics. We employed random sampling methodology stratified geographically. The response rate was 19.5% (73/374 laboratories). A non-random survey conducted in 2001 of 25 laboratories served as a comparator. A total of 73 laboratories, representing 202 physicians and 177 technologists responded. The reported median procedural volume was 1,225 studies annually; 88.9% of laboratories were accredited. Compared with 2001, dual isotope imaging protocol use dropped from 72% to 15.6%. Five markers of quality were surveyed. Half of laboratories use the American College of Cardiology's Appropriate Use Criteria, 61% used segmental scoring, and 32% provided guidance on post-test therapeutic management. 89% perform catheterization correlations while only 33% implemented radiation dose tracking.
This survey of ASNC members provides critical information on nuclear cardiology practice to better target and service our members' needs. These data can prove invaluable to target educational needs and inform healthcare policy of contemporary nuclear cardiology practice.
当今的影像实验室面临着包括报销、事先授权和认证标准在内的诸多挑战。其对美国核医学实践的影响尚不清楚。我们对 ASNC 成员进行了一项调查，以了解 2011 年核心脏病学影像实验室的情况。
该调查确定了包括人员、工作量、使用的方案以及实验室特征在内的实践模式。我们采用了地理上分层的随机抽样方法。应答率为 19.5%（73/374 个实验室）。2001 年对 25 个实验室进行的非随机调查作为对照。共有 73 个实验室，代表 202 名医生和 177 名技术员做出了回应。报告的中位数程序量为每年 1225 项研究；88.9%的实验室获得了认证。与 2001 年相比，双同位素成像方案的使用从 72%下降到 15.6%。调查了 5 个质量指标。一半的实验室使用美国心脏病学会的适当使用标准，61%使用节段评分，32%提供了关于测试后治疗管理的指导。89%进行导管插入术相关性检查，而只有 33%实施辐射剂量跟踪。
这项对 ASNC 成员的调查为核心脏病学实践提供了关键信息，以便更好地满足我们成员的需求。这些数据对于确定教育需求和告知当代核心脏病学实践的医疗保健政策非常有价值。
