Title
Variation in additional testing and patient outcomes after stress echocardiography or myocardial perfusion imaging, according to accreditation status of testing site
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2021
Journal Title
Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
MeSH Headings
Accreditation; Adult; Aged; Echocardiography, Stress; Female; Health Facilities (standards); Heart Function Tests; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients receiving a stress echocardiogram or myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) test have differences in subsequent testing and outcomes according to accreditation status of the original testing facility. METHODS AND RESULTS: An all-payer claims dataset from Maine Health Data Organization from 2012 to 2014 was utilized to define two cohorts defined by an initial stress echocardiogram or MPI test. The accreditation status (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), American College of Radiology (ACR) or none) of the facility performing the index test was known. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression were used to examine differences in subsequent diagnostic testing and cardiac outcomes. We observed 4603 index stress echocardiograms and 8449 MPI tests. Multivariate models showed higher odds of subsequent MPI testing and hospitalization for angina if the index test was performed at a non-accredited facility in both the stress echocardiogram cohort and the MPI cohort. We also observed higher odds of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.13-2.50), if the initial MPI test was done in a non-accredited facility. CONCLUSION: Cardiac testing completed in non-accredited facilities were associated with higher odds of subsequent MPI testing, hospitalization for angina, and PCI.
First Page
2952
Last Page
2961
Recommended Citation
Shah JN, Murray KM, Lucas FL, Fairfield KM, Cohen MC. Variation in additional testing and patient outcomes after stress echocardiography or myocardial perfusion imaging, according to accreditation status of testing site. J Nucl Cardiol. 2021;28(6):2952-2961. doi:10.1007/s12350-020-02230-0