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The rise and fall of C-reactive protein: managing demand within clinical biochemistry

H D Hutton1, H S Drummond, A A Fryer

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. Hazel.Hutton@uhns.nhs.uk

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|January 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Clinical biochemists reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) test requests by 85% in acute admissions units through demand management strategies, saving approximately £10,000 annually. This demonstrates the effectiveness of agreed protocols in controlling laboratory workload.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Laboratory workload management is crucial for clinical biochemists.
  • A significant 31% rise in C-reactive protein (CRP) requests was observed at UHNS.
  • This study aimed to analyze CRP requesting patterns in acute admissions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine C-reactive protein (CRP) requesting patterns within acute admissions units.
  • To assess the impact of demand management strategies on CRP test requests.
  • To identify opportunities for reducing inappropriate test ordering.

Main Methods:

  • Audited current requesting patterns in Accident and Emergency (A&E) and Medical Admissions Units (MAU).
  • Implemented disease-related protocols and consultant-only requesting.
  • Assessed the impact of these demand management strategies on test requests.

Main Results:

  • Initial CRP requests averaged 918/month (A&E) and 545/month (MAU).
  • Demand management strategies achieved an 85% reduction in CRP requests.
  • An IT-based logic rule further reduced duplicate requests within 24 hours, saving ~£10,000 annually.

Conclusions:

  • Demand control strategies at the point of request effectively reduce test numbers from acute units.
  • Agreed protocols in acute settings serve as a valuable demand management tool.
  • This study provides a foundation for addressing inappropriate test requesting.
Abstract

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