Reduction in Unnecessary Clinical Laboratory Testing Through Utilization Management at a US Government Veterans...

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Unnecessary clinical laboratory testing contributes to increased healthcare costs and resource utilization.
• Effective management systems are needed to optimize laboratory test ordering and reduce waste.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an electronic laboratory utilization management system, the laboratory expert system (LES).
• To achieve safe and effective reductions in unnecessary clinical laboratory testing.

Main Methods:

• The LES was developed as a set of frequency filter subroutines integrated into the Veterans Affairs hospital and laboratory information system.
• An interdisciplinary medical team formulated the LES system.

Main Results:

• Total laboratory test volume decreased by a mean of 11.18% per year post-implementation.
• Estimated cost savings were $151,184 in 2012 and $163,751 in 2013, primarily from reduced high-volume testing.
• No adverse effects on patient care were observed, and the mean length of stay remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Electronic laboratory utilization systems, such as the LES, are effective tools for reducing unnecessary laboratory testing.
• These systems can significantly decrease costs without compromising patient safety or quality of care.