Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Comparative effectiveness opportunity guide for New England OB-Gyn services

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has produced a comprehensive analysis of opportunities to reduce overtreatment from the Choosing Wisely list of five overused treatments identified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ICER’s report focuses on New England including analysis of current regional utilization patterns, the feasibility of practice change, resources for implementation, and opportunities for cost savings. The report identified reducing routine annual Pap tests in women ages 30 to 65 years of age as the greatest opportunity for impact across New England among the Choosing Wisely ACOG list with substantial current levels of overuse and variation, large potential savings, and expected innovations making it easier to identify inappropriate care.