High Priority: Yes; Appropriate Use
Percentage of patients age 60 years and older with a diagnosis of bilateral presbycusis or symmetric sensorineural
hearing loss who were NOT ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the
brain, temporal bone or internal auditory canal for the primary indication of hearing loss.
Denominator:
All patients age 60 years and older diagnosed with bilateral presbycusis or symmetric sensorineural hearing loss.
Denominator Exclusions:
None
Denominator Exceptions:
Medical reason that may require an MRI or CT scan of the brain, temporal bone or internal auditory canal, including:
• Evaluation for cochlear implantation or surgical management of hearing loss
• Unilateral or pulsatile tinnitus
• Vertigo, disequilibrium, dizziness
• Asymmetrical hearing loss
• Acquired hearing loss following meningitis, measles, mumps
• Chronic otitis media, otosclerosis
• Head injury or trauma
Numerator:
Patients who were NOT ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the
brain, temporal bone or internal auditory canal for the primary indication of age-related hearing loss. This restriction is
relevant at any time interval after the diagnosis of age-related hearing loss.
Measure Classifications:
- Measure Type: Process
- National Quality Strategy (NQS) domain: Efficiency and Cost Reduction
- Meaningful Measure Area: Appropriate Use of Healthcare
- Calculation: 1st Performance Rate
- Inverse measure: No
- Continuous measure: No
- Proportional measure: Yes
- Ratio measure: No
- Risk Adjusted measure: No
