Purpose or learning objective
Background/introduction
The ESR Subcommittee on Referral Guidelines is part of the ESR's Quality, Safety and Standards Committee (QSSC), charged with maintaining the ESR's referral guidelines which are the content of the ESR iGuide clinical decision support (CDS) system.
The ESR works with the American College of Radiology's (ACR) to develop clinical decision support content based on the ACR Appropriateness Criteria.
The ESR iGuide content is grouped into 10 topic areas. The purpose of this poster is to provide an overview of the ESR iGuide content...
Methods or background
Methodology
The ESR’s guideline methodology was published in Insights into Imaging (32(2019)). The methodology for the ACR Appropriateness Criteria is the basis for the work of the ESR RGSC and is adhered to as far as applicable.
The basic principles are that any changes ESR experts make to the guidelines should be based on scientific evidence to the largest extent possible, using experience as well as expert opinion, judgement and experience of European practice standards only as a supplement where necessary. No consideration should be...
Results or findings
[ESR iGuide content]
A.Breast Imaging
Total Rules
479
Appropriateness category changes
23
4.8%
B. Cardiac Imaging
Total Rules
889
Appropriateness category changes
323
36.3%
C. Gastrointestinal Imaging
Total Rules
1593
Appropriateness category changes
73
4.6%
D. MSK Imaging
Total Rules
8715
Appropriateness category changes
214
2.5%
E. Neurologic Imaging
Total Rules
3875
Appropriateness category changes
324
8.4%
F. Paediatric Imaging
Total Rules
3844
Appropriateness category changes
441
12.6%
G. Thoracic Imaging
Total Rules
537
Appropriateness category changes
24
4.5%
H. Urogenital Imaging
Total Rules
750...
Conclusion
The ESR iGuide initiative is part of the ESR's quality and safety mission. The ESR considers imaging referral guidelines essential for improving appropriateness in medical imaging, and delivery of guidelines at the point of care through a clinical decision support system is the most effective way to do so.
The development of CDS-ready referral guidelines is also part of the EuroSafe Imaging Call for Action, and an essential tool for radiation protection of patients.
The cooperation between the ACR and the ESR has shown that...
References
European Society of Radiology (ESR). Methodology for ESR iGuide content. Insights Imaging 10, 32 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0720-z
Personal information and conflict of interest
F. Demuth:
Nothing to disclose
