News

Actions

Open houses hope to help Utahns make wise health care choices

Posted at 3:26 PM, Mar 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-23 17:26:55-04

SALT LAKE CITY —  A pair of open houses aimed at helping patients make better health care choices are planned for the coming weeks, and the events are part of an effort to eliminate what some people call unnecessary health care.

The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to educate people regarding tests and procedures they say are often overused in health care.

In a press release, officials with the organization stated the Institute of Medicine reports that 30 percent of health care in the U.S. is unnecessary. The two open houses will focus on two general areas: antibiotics and evidence-based use of imaging tests.

The first panel discussion is set for March 27 at 4 p.m. at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. The second discussion is scheduled for April 7 at noon at the Ragan Theater at Utah Valley University. For more details about the events, including addresses and a list of speakers, click here.

According to the press release, the group hopes to help providers and patients have more specific guidelines for treatments.

“We want patients and physicians to open the communication channels about care because some common tests, treatments and procedures may not make sense,” said Robin Betts, assistant vice president of quality and patient safety, Intermountain Healthcare, in the press release. “We encourage patients to ask questions about the benefits, risks and alternatives to all procedures to ensure they receive the right treatment at the right time.”

For more information about Choosing Wisely campaign, click here.