The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) has developed a free, web-based tool to guide physicians through the collection of patient data on appropriate use of cardiac radionuclide imaging (RNI) to identify performance gaps and ultimately implement a quality improvement plan for their practice. This improvement tool, allows users to see their ordering pattern compared to their national specialty average in the FOCUS Community and compared to their practice (defined by their tax id number) and specialty. Data is collected at the individual physician level, but compared to the practice level and the specialty level.
How it Works:
The FOCUS: RNI decision support tool is divided into three parts:
Part 1: Review your image ordering pattern for RNI and assess your personal knowledge and performance gaps.
Part 2: Develop and follow your own plan for closing the gaps and sustaining improvement, including participation in at least one ACC FOCUS Webinar, two interactions with the FOCUS listserv and one personal intervention. Review your image ordering pattern for RNI and assess your improvement.
Part 3: Compare your RNI data assessed in Part 1 with current RNI orders entered in Part 3. Assess your own improvement in knowledge and performance.
Start Using the Tool:
To register and begin using the RNI decision support tool,
click here . The ACC has also developed an optional data collection form to help physicians gather and enter data into the RNI tool. The form is divided into nine sections, however, only the section(s) relevant to your patient need to be filled out. Both the data collection sheet and the FOCUS RNI tool can be used to collect information on patients and practice patterns prospectively as well as retrospectively. For additional information about the RNI tool, click here.
Need help with your action plan?
Use this guide complete with goals and action items to help formulate your own plan for closing the gaps and sustaining improvement.