Taking a Second Look before Prescribing Certain Tests

The ABIM Foundation, a group associated with the American Board of Internal Medicine, announced 45 medical tests and procedures that are commonly performed but may not be necessary for many patients in an April 4, 2012, press release. For example, healthy adults probably do not need stress imaging tests during their annual checkups because the results from these tests rarely create “meaningful” changes in the patient’s care. In addition, Consumer Reports announced 11 consumer-focused organizations, including The Leapfrog Group, that will be helping to spread the word about this initiative.