American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
View all recommendations from this societyReleased February 24, 2014
Don’t order low back X-rays as part of a routine preplacement medical examination.
Preplacement medical examinations are conducted to determine an individual’s ability to perform the job’s essential functions. Routine low back X-rays are costly, result in unnecessary radiation exposure, do not address the worker’s abilities and do not predict future injuries.
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician.
How The List Was Created
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) routinely develops evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to assist physicians in improving or restoring the health of those workers who incur occupationally related illnesses or injuries. ACOEM’s Practice Guidelines, developed by expert panels, are the gold standard in effective treatment of occupational injuries and illnesses and are the only evidence-based guidelines that focus on returning employees to work within 90 days of an injury or illness. In addition, the College promotes the high-quality practice of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) through the publication, via the scientific peer-reviewed Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, of position statements and guidance documents relevant to the field. These documents are developed by ACOEM task forces made up of physician member volunteers and are approved by the Board of Directors.
After input from ACOEM leaders and approval from the Board of Directors, five topics were selected from the Practice Guidelines and the ACOEM position paper on fatigue risk management in the workplace for this campaign. The position paper and the methodology for the development of the Practice Guidelines are available at www.acoem.org.
ACOEM’s disclosure and conflict of interest policy can be found at www.acoem.org.
Sources
Talmage J, Belcourt R, Galper J, et al. Low back disorders. In: Hegmann K, ed. Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 2011. p. 377.
