[Spending with unnecessary complementary tests for hypertension and diabetes in health services]
Insights
Unnecessary lab tests for hypertension and diabetes patients in Brazil led to significant waste. Improving healthcare integration can reduce misallocation of resources and curb unnecessary spending.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Public Health Policy
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Context:
- Analysis of laboratory test utilization in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare settings in Southeastern Brazil (2006-2009).
- Focus on patients with hypertension and diabetes, common chronic conditions requiring regular monitoring.
- Exploratory-descriptive, quantitative study utilizing medical record data from 293 patients.
Purpose:
- To identify and quantify unnecessary laboratory tests ordered for patients with hypertension and diabetes.
- To assess the financial expenditures associated with these unnecessary tests.
- To investigate potential causes for unnecessary test ordering, such as healthcare system fragmentation.
Summary:
- A total of 9,522 laboratory tests were analyzed, with 5.97% identified as unnecessary.
- Approximately 58% of unnecessary tests were requested by primary care (Family Health Center - NSF3), and 42% by secondary care (School Health Center - CSE).
- Findings indicate a lack of integration between different healthcare levels, contributing to resource misallocation.
Impact:
- Highlights the economic burden of suboptimal laboratory test ordering in chronic disease management.
- Suggests a need for improved care coordination and communication across healthcare levels to optimize resource allocation.
- Provides evidence for policy interventions aimed at reducing healthcare waste and improving efficiency in managing hypertension and diabetes.
Abstract:
The aims of this study were to analyze unnecessary laboratory exams for patients with hypertension and diabetes and to check the expenditures involved.This is an exploratory-descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach.We used data from medical records of 293 patients registered in primary units - the Family Health Center (NSF3); secondary: School Health Center (CSE); and tertiary: Hospital das Clinicas (HC) from 2006 to 2009 in a city in Southeastern Brazil. We identified a total of 9,522 laboratory tests, of which 5.97% were unnecessary. Of these, about 58% were requested by NSF3 and 42% by CSE. Results suggest there is a lack of integration among different levels of health care, which result in misallocation of resources and unnecessary spending. Descriptors: Health expenditures. Hypertension. Diabetes mellitus. Family health. Health services.
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