| The accessibility and availability of Magnetic | | | | A Magnetic Resonance Image is a diagnostic |
| Resonance Imaging has been linked to an increase in | | | | procedure which uses magnetic fields to create |
| low back surgery. Research published in the October | | | | detailed pictures inside the body and head. These |
| issue of Health Affairs shows a statistical increase in | | | | pictures help to detect subtle changes in tissue matter. |
| the number of surgeries performed in correlation to the | | | | MRI's are a medical marvel for ruling in or out specific |
| number of machines in a geographic area. | | | | causes of back pain due to trauma or over use |
| MRI scanners are a huge capital investment and a | | | | problems, such as a herniated disk. However, like any |
| state of art machine costs more than $2 million dollars. | | | | diagnostic tool it may also detect anomalies unrelated |
| A lower back scan is about $1500 per patient. The | | | | to back pain but will prompt doctors to perform |
| number of machines increased in a five year period | | | | surgery which may not benefit the patient and alleviate |
| from 7.6 machines per 1 million people in 2000 to 26.6 | | | | their pain. |
| machines per million in 2005. That is more than tripling | | | | In the report researchers suggest that each additional |
| the number of MRI scanners in a geographical area in | | | | MRI scanner in an area results in 40 additional |
| less than 5 years. | | | | lower-back scans. If you extrapolate this to the whole |
| Researchers collected data from Medicare patient | | | | Medicare population that means around 6,400 more |
| records who received care for nonspecific low back | | | | scans in a MRI dense area than a non-MRI dense |
| pain from 1998 through 2005. Established clinical | | | | area. Researchers are concerned because of the |
| guidelines recommend delaying MRI use for four | | | | close link between the scan and back surgeries. |
| weeks after the onset of pain because during this | | | | From a healthcare reform angle this is very interesting |
| window most low back pain patients show | | | | research. Just because providers have access to high |
| spontaneous improvement. However, the study | | | | tech diagnostic tools they need to practice solid |
| indicates that the introduction of an MRI scan | | | | judgment when recommending MRIs. This study |
| increases the chances of surgery on the lower back. | | | | shows that the net result of increased use of MRI's |
| The researchers were able to determine that of the | | | | due to increased capacity raises the risks of |
| MRI scans that resulted due to the increased | | | | unnecessary surgeries for patients and increased |
| availability of machines two-thirds of the scans were | | | | costs for everyone else. |
| performed within the first month of the onset of pain. | | | | |