CYPRESS, Calif. (PRWEB) November 15, 2017 -- AAGL today released a list of specific tests or procedures that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in Gynecologic Services as part of Choosing Wisely®, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.
AAGL’s list identified the following five recommendations:
1. Do not perform a laparotomy for the management of non-malignant disease when surgical management is indicated and a vaginal, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted approach is feasible and appropriate.
2. Do not perform routine oophorectomy in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for non-malignant indications who are at low risk for ovarian cancer.
3. Do not routinely administer prophylactic antibiotics in low-risk laparoscopic procedures.
4. Avoid the unaided removal of endometrial polyps without direct visualization when hysteroscopic guidance is available and can be safely performed.
5. Avoid opioid misuse in the chronic pelvic pain patient without compromising care through education, responsible opioid prescribing and advocacy.
“The AAGL and its members support evidence-based medicine and shared decision-making between patients and their doctors. For this reason, we are proud to partner with Choosing Wisely® in this effort to encourage important conversations between patients and gynecologists that may reduce unneeded or overused services. By doing so, this has the potential to elevate gynecologic services while optimizing value-based healthcare," said AAGL Immediate Past President and Chief of Gynecologic Surgery, Columbia University, Arnold P. Advincula, MD, FACOG, FACS.
The AAGL’s Choosing Wisely list was developed after months of careful consideration and review, using the most current evidence about management and treatment options. An AAGL Task Force spearheaded the list development with approval from the Board of Directors.
“Conversations about what care patients truly need is a shared responsibility among all members of the health care team,” said Richard J. Baron, MD, President and CEO of the ABIM Foundation. “AAGL’s Choosing Wisely list will help gynecologists across the country engage their patients in a dialogue about what care is best for them, and what we can do to reduce waste and overuse in our health care system.”
To date, more than 80 national clinician organizations have created more than 500 recommendations as part of the campaign. The campaign also continues to reach millions of consumers nationwide through a stable of consumer and advocacy partners, led by Consumer Reports—the world’s largest independent product-testing organization—which has worked with the ABIM Foundation to distribute patient-friendly resources for consumers and physicians to engage in these important conversations.
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.
About the AAGL:
The AAGL (http://www.aagl.org) is the first and one of the largest organizations in the world dedicated to gynecologic endoscopic surgery. Founded in 1971, AAGL works to advance the safest and most efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that afford less invasive treatments for gynecologic conditions through the integration of clinical practice, research, and innovation. For the past 46 years, the organization has educated the world’s finest surgeons while improving the lives of women everywhere.
About the ABIM Foundation:
The mission of the ABIM Foundation is to advance medical professionalism to improve the health care system. We achieve this by collaborating with physicians and physician leaders, medical trainees, health care delivery systems, payers, policy makers, consumer organizations and patients to foster a shared understanding of professionalism and how they can adopt the tenets of professionalism in practice. To learn more about the ABIM Foundation, visit http://www.abimfoundation.org, read our blog http://blog.abimfoundation.org, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
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.
Jocelyne Fletcher, AAGL, http://www.aagl.org, +1 (714) 503-6200 Ext: 257, [email protected]
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