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Related Experiment Videos

Large differences in laboratory utilisation between hospitals in Sweden.

A Larsson1, M Palmer, G Hultén

  • 1Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. anders.larsson@klinkem.uas.lul.se

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|August 22, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Swedish hospitals show significant variation in laboratory test usage, impacting cost-effectiveness. Optimizing test use could save millions annually while improving clinical value.

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Area of Science:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Health Economics
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Significant variations in laboratory test utilization exist across Swedish hospitals, exceeding patient-related differences.
  • Current practices often reflect local traditions, leading to suboptimal cost-effectiveness in clinical chemistry.
  • Unequal healthcare provision is a consequence of these practice-driven variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the variations in laboratory test ordering habits among Swedish hospitals.
  • To identify potential cost savings through optimized clinical chemistry test utilization.
  • To assess the impact of inter-hospital variations on healthcare efficiency and equity.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of laboratory test ordering patterns across eleven Swedish hospitals.

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  • Utilized ratios between related laboratory tests to normalize for hospital size differences.
  • Calculated potential cost savings for seven frequently ordered tests.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified substantial inter-hospital variations in the use of laboratory tests, indicating practice-driven differences.
    • Demonstrated that optimizing clinical chemistry test use in primary care can save SEK 100 million annually, improving clinical utility.
    • Estimated potential yearly savings of approximately SEK 150 million for seven common tests across Sweden.

    Conclusions:

    • Variations in laboratory test use are largely due to differing practices, not just patient populations.
    • Continuous dialogue between clinicians and laboratories can significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency.
    • Optimizing clinical chemistry test ordering presents a substantial opportunity for cost savings and enhanced healthcare value in Sweden.