Total inappropriate Medicare imaging exams estimated to have produced 3.55 to 129.2 kT carbon dioxide equivalents per year<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, April 11, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Substantial excess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result from inappropriate imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), according to a study published online March 27 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology<\/em>.<\/p>\n Gregory Cavanagh, M.D., from Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, and colleagues estimated excess GHG emissions associated with inappropriate imaging in metric kilotons (kT) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2<\/sub>e) from the Medicare Part B population. Low-end and high-end estimates of average yearly GHG emissions from inappropriate examinations were modeled for MRI, CT, radiography, and ultrasound.<\/p>\n The researchers noted that 4 to 26 percent of all imaging was estimated as inappropriate. During the entire five-year period, total inappropriate Medicare imaging examinations were estimated to have produced an average of 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2<\/sub>e per year, with MRI and CT accounting for the greatest proportion (0.621 to 33.8 kT and 1.24 to 64.8 kT, respectively); 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2<\/sub>e approximated to the GHG produced by the annual electricity of a town of 2,000 to 72,000 people.<\/p>\n \u201cIncreasing adherence to appropriateness criteria using clinical decision support software or an incentive program are two examples of concrete actions to encourage appropriate image ordering,\u201d the authors write.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n