Table 1 Definitions of low-value procedures

Carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic high-risk patients with limited life expectancy (CWA, CWC, CWUS)

Episodes involving people aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of occlusion and stenosis of carotid artery or procedure of carotid endarterectomy with no stroke or focal neurological symptoms recorded in the episode, and ASA score 4–5 or (age ≥ 75 and ASA 3) and not emergency care or admitted through emergency department

Denominator episodes involving carotid endarterectomy

Colonoscopy for constipation in people aged < 50 years (CWC)

Episodes involving people aged 18–49 years with constipation and no diagnoses of anaemia, weight loss, family or personal history of cancer of digestive system, or personal history of other diseases of digestive system recorded in previous 12 months

Denominator episodes involving colonoscopy

Endoscopy for dyspepsia in people aged < 55 years (CWC)

Episodes involving people aged 18–54 years with dyspepsia and no diagnoses of dysphagia, iron deficiency anaemia, other nutritional anaemia, abnormal weight loss, family or personal history of cancer of digestive system, or personal history of peptic ulcer in the previous 12 months

Denominator episodes involving endoscopy

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (CWC)

Episodes involving people aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm and ASA score 4–5 or (age ≥ 75 with ASA score 3), and not emergency care or admitted through emergency department

Denominator episodes involving endovascular repair of aneurysm

Abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease (vs laparoscopic or vaginal approach) (Committee on Gynecologic Practice)

Episodes involving women aged 18 years or older having hysterectomy with no caesarean, cancer, endometriosis, or pelvic peritoneal adhesions recorded in the episode

Denominator episodes involving abdominal approach

Arthroscopic lavage and debridement of knee for osteoarthritis or degenerate meniscal tears (CWUS, NICE)

Episodes involving people aged 55 or older with diagnosis of gonarthrosis or meniscal derangements and no diagnosis of ligament strain or damage or diagnosis of septic (pyogenic) arthritis recorded in the episode

Denominator episodes involving knee arthroscopy

Renal artery angioplasty or stenting (HealthPACT)

Episodes involving people aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of renovascular hypertension, atherosclerosis of renal artery, hypertensive kidney disease, or hypertensive heart and kidney disease and no diagnosis of fibromuscular dystrophy or pulmonary oedema

Denominator episodes involving renal artery angioplasty or stenting

Percutaneous coronary intervention with balloon angioplasty or stent placement for stable coronary disease (CWUS)

Episodes involving people aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of coronary disease except angina in any episode 6–18 months before index episode and no episodes involving coronary disease in the 6 months before index episode and not emergency care or admitted through emergency department

Denominator episodes involving percutaneous coronary intervention