The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging app was adapted from the ACCF/ASNC/ACR/AHA/ASE/SCCT/SCMR/SNM 2009 Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging (RNI) published in 2009 in Circulation. The AUC for RNI describes 67 individual patient indications, eight indication categories, and five algorithms.
The app guides physicians step-by-step through the criteria to evaluate patient history, clinical factors, and other important information to receive an instant appropriate use score for RNI. By entering information, physicians will receive a rating on a scale of 1-9 suggesting if the patient indication is appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6), or inappropriate (1-3) for RNI. Ratings can be viewed either by indication/category or patient algorithm.
According to the annual “Taking the Pulse” study of physicians and healthcare technology released in April 2010, 72% of physicians use smartphones personally and professionally, with that number expected to jump to 81% in 2012.
“Astellas recognizes physicians are increasingly using smartphones and apps in the healthcare setting to access information,” said Robert C. Hendel, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASNC, and Chair of the Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging Writing Group that developed the 2009 AUC for RNI. “We partnered with them to develop this accurate, timely, assessment tool for use on smartphones and hope this app will promote awareness and use of the AUC for RNI published in 2009,” Dr. Hendel continued.
A preview and interactive demonstration of the app will take place tonight in conjunction with ASNC 2010: The 15th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology in Philadelphia.
Source: Astellas Pharma US, Inc