Patients Suffering From Chronic Pain Should Question Certain Tests and Treatments
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)Not prescribing opioids first or as a long-term therapy for chronic, non-cancer pain and avoiding MRIs, CTs and X-rays for low-back pain are among the tests and treatments identified by ASA that are commonly ordered but not always necessary. As part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, ASA today released its second list of five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physician anesthesiologists about what care is really necessary.