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Related Experiment Videos

Laboratory testing in the intensive care unit.

Michael E Ezzie1, Scott K Aberegg, James M O'Brien

  • 1Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University Medical Center, 201 Davis HLRI, 473 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Critical Care Clinics
|September 29, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Laboratory testing is common in hospitals, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). A rational approach, considering clinical context and test risks, is needed for effective laboratory utilization.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Pathology
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Laboratory testing is a frequent practice in hospitalized patients, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • Current laboratory testing practices in ICUs lack robust supporting data despite high costs and prevalence.
  • Potential risks of laboratory testing include misleading results, iatrogenic anemia, and interventions with uncertain benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the current state of laboratory testing in ICUs.
  • To advocate for a more evidence-based and judicious approach to laboratory test ordering.
  • To highlight the importance of considering pretest probability, test performance, and risk-benefit analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on laboratory testing in critical care settings.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of the potential benefits and risks associated with common laboratory tests.
  • Discussion of clinical decision-making frameworks for test selection.

    • Main Results:

    • Limited data support the routine use of many laboratory tests in ICUs.
    • Laboratory testing carries inherent risks that must be weighed against potential benefits.
    • Clinical indications and test characteristics are crucial for rational test selection.

    Conclusions:

    • Laboratory testing should be integrated into a therapeutic strategy, guided by clinical problems.
    • A mindful approach to laboratory testing involves assessing pretest probability, test accuracy, and risk-benefit profiles.
    • Optimizing laboratory test utilization can lead to more rational practices and improved resource allocation.