The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) released an update of the appropriate use criteria (AUC) calculator tool for aiding clinicians in decision making. Updates to the app expanded the options for appropriately treating patients who are candidates for diagnostic catheterization or heart failure imaging.

"SCAI's electronic applications are a key part of our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of care provided in cardiac catheterization laboratories throughout the world," said SCAI 2014-15 President Charles Chambers, MD, in a press release. "With these new functions, we are providing the latest and most accurate information to assist physicians in decision making that will improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs."

The latest recommendations are available for AUC for diagnostic catheterization, cardiovascular imaging in heart failure, and coronary revascularization based on guidelines released in 2012 and 2013. When a physician inputs data about the patient, the tool will assist by offering whether the procedure would be “appropriate,” “uncertain,” or “inappropriate” in a typical case based on the guidelines.

The app also allows generated responses to be copied into a patient’s EHR. The intent is to provide physicians with information for the clinical decision-making process and should not replace good judgment.

"The new additions to the AUC app will help general and interventional cardiologists quickly and easily update their patients' clinical records and document the steps used to recommend tests and treatments," Kalon Ho, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, vice-chair of SCAI's Quality Improvement Committee and the lead developer on SCAI's AUC calculator tools, said in the press release.

The updated app can be downloaded here.