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Effects of a computerised protocol management system on ordering of clinical tests
P G Nightingale1, M Peters, D Mutimer
1Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham.
Objective:
To assess the effects of a computerised protocol management system on the number, cost, and appropriateness of laboratory investigations requested.
Design:
A before and after intervention.
Setting:
A supraregional liver unit in a teaching hospital.
Patients:
1487 consecutive patients admitted during 1990 and 1991 (one year before and one year after introduction of the system).
Intervention:
Introduction of a computerised protocol management system on 1 January 1991.
Main Measures:
The number and cost of clinical chemistry tests requested per patient day.
Results:
The total number of clinical chemistry tests requested per patient day by the unit declined 17% (p < 0.001, Student's t test) and of out of hours tests requested per patient day from 0.31 to 0.16, 48% (p < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U test), resulting in a 28% reduction (p < 0.001) in direct laboratory expenditure per patient-day. Overall, the number of tests per admission decreased by 24% (p < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U test).
Conclusion:
Use of the computerised protocol management system resulted in closer compliance with the protocols and a significant reduction in the overall level of requesting.
Implications:
Although similar systems need to be tested in other clinical settings, computerised protocol management systems may be important in providing appropriate and cost effective health care.