Registry analysis reveals rapid growth in knee computed tomography scans among Australian patients, indicating unnecessary radiation exposure and a need for imaging stewardship.
Key Points
To examine trends in knee computed tomography utilization and determine implications for clinical appropriateness, radiation risk, and healthcare policy.
Analyzed national Medicare Benefits Schedule utilization data for knee computed tomography (CT) scans relative to other imaging modalities in Australia.
Utilization of knee CT scans expanded rapidly, outpacing growth trends seen across other routine imaging modalities.
The growth was not attributable to clinical need and appeared driven by non-evidence-based CT-guided interventions.
Medicare billing structures failed to distinguish between diagnostic and procedural CT scans, impeding oversight and exacerbating procedure-related radiation and financial costs.