Identification of criteria for a report card to evaluate clinical laboratory testing services

Report cards increasingly are considered useful to evaluate health-care services. Identifying important criteria to stakeholders of clinical laboratory testing services is the first step in the development of a report card to evaluate such services. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine criteria important to two stakeholders of these services. Three phases of data collection were conducted: 1) structured telephone interviews, 2) a modified two-round Delphi study, and 3) a verification survey of hospital laboratories that purchase reference laboratory testing services and Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) that purchase clinical laboratory testing services. Fifteen of 20 (75%) criteria from the verification survey were ranked between very important and essential by hospital laboratory and managed care organization purchasers. Eleven of 15 (73.3%) criteria were common to both purchaser groups. Six of 11 (54.5%) criteria from the service dimension were the most prevalent. In addition to quality, stakeholders consider criteria for service, access, and cost important. Combining the criteria identified by these two groups serves as the basis of a report card to evaluate these services.