AAAAI Releases Second List of Tests and Procedures That Are Overused to Diagnose and Treat Allergies, Asthma and Immunologic Diseases
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 03, 2014 -- The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) today released a list of “Five More Things Physician and Patients Should Question” as part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely® initiative. This list focuses on and explains specific tests or procedures that are overused in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.
“The AAAAI’s second Choosing Wisely list will further facilitate wise healthcare choices in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma and immunologic diseases,” said AAAAI Immediate-Past President Linda Cox, MD, FAAAAI. “It identifies five more evidence-based recommendations that will support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is appropriate and necessary.”
The following are the five recommendations which appear on the AAAAI’s latest list:
• Don’t rely on antihistamines as first line treatment in severe allergic reactions.
• Don’t perform food IgE testing without a history consistent with potential IgE-mediated food allergy.
• Don’t routinely order low- or iso-osmolar radiocontrast media or pretreat with corticosteroids and antihistamines for patients with a history of seafood allergy, who require radiocontrast media.
• Don’t routinely avoid influenza vaccination in egg-allergic patients.
• Don’t overuse non-beta lactam antibiotics in patients with a history of penicillin allergy, without an appropriate evaluation.
As with its first list, the second AAAAI Choosing Wisely list was developed after months of careful consideration and review, using the most current evidence about management and treatment options.
AAAAI experts are available to speak with reporters to explain what is important for patients and consumers to know about the list items. Contact Megan Brown at mbrown(at)aaaai(dot)org.
To learn more about Choosing Wisely and to view the complete lists and additional detail about the recommendations and evidence supporting them, visit http://www.choosingwisely.org.
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About AAAAI
The AAAAI (http://www.aaaai.org) represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,700 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI’s Find an Allergist/Immunologist service(http://aaaai.execinc.com/edibo/FindAnAllergist) is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.
About Choosing Wisely®
First announced in December 2011, Choosing Wisely® is part of a multi-year effort led by the ABIM Foundation to support and engage physicians in being better stewards of finite health care resources. Participating specialty societies are working with the ABIM Foundation and Consumer Reports to share the lists widely with their members and convene discussions about the physician’s role in helping patients make wise choices. Learn more at http://www.choosingwisely.org.
Megan Brown, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, http://www.aaaai.org, +1 (414) 272-6071, [email protected]
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