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Evaluation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time.
1Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ 07740.
New Jersey Medicine : the Journal of the Medical Society of New Jersey
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Ordering prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests for hospitalized patients is common. However, these tests offer little patient benefit and increase laboratory workload and costs.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Pathology
- Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) are routine coagulation tests.
- These tests are frequently ordered for hospitalized patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility and impact of routine PT and PTT testing in hospitalized patients.
- To identify opportunities for reducing laboratory workload and healthcare expenses through appropriate test ordering.
Main Methods:
- Review of laboratory test ordering patterns for PT and PTT.
- Analysis of patient data to assess the clinical benefit derived from these tests.
Main Results:
- The likelihood of patients benefiting from PT and PTT testing is low.
- Inappropriate ordering contributes to increased laboratory workload and costs.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing the ordering of PT and PTT tests can lead to significant reductions in laboratory workload and expenses.
- Clinical guidelines for PT and PTT utilization should be reinforced to improve patient care and resource allocation.