The implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) headache tool in conjunction with an educational partnership with primary care providers (PCPs) changed ordering habits and saved approximately US$192,000 per 1000 patients via reductions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) orders and neurology referrals by 35% and 77%, respectively.
A chart review of headache referrals to the neurology department at Geisinger Medical Center, an integrated healthcare system in Danville, Pennsylvania, demonstrated that a significant proportion of patients were diagnosed with a primary headache disorder or chronic daily headache, but only half were trialed on prescription medication prior to referral.