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Utilization of Laboratory Testing Algorithms for Celiac Disease in a Pediatric Hospital
Mahesheema Ali1, Derek J Danner2, Douglas S Fishman3
1Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.
Insights
Implementing a celiac-reflexive cascade significantly improved appropriate celiac test ordering and reduced costs. This initiative ensured tests were used correctly, benefiting patient care and hospital budgets.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Healthcare Management
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Numerous celiac tests were ordered by non-specialist providers at Texas Children's Hospital.
- Varied ordering practices led to potential overuse and increased costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a test ordering initiative on celiac test usage.
- To determine if the initiative improved appropriate test utilization and reduced healthcare costs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of celiac test orders from July 2016 to September 2017.
- Implementation of an in-house celiac-disease screening cascade.
- Reflex testing to a comprehensive panel based on abnormal screening results.
Main Results:
- Out of 60 total orders, only 4 proceeded to comprehensive celiac testing.
- 52 orders were altered to celiac screening, with 1 positive result reflexed.
- 4 orders were canceled due to incorrect submissions.
Conclusions:
- A celiac-reflexive cascade effectively improved appropriate celiac test ordering.
- The implemented strategy demonstrated significant cost-effectiveness.
Background:
At Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, numerous celiac tests are ordered from a wide range of nonspecialty healthcare providers.
Objective:
To retrospectively examine the ordering of celiac tests before and after a test ordering initiative at our institution, to determine whether the initiative impacted appropriate usage of those tests and affected costs.
Methods:
We carefully scrutinized all orders for comprehensive celiac testing from July 2016 through September 2017, implemented an in-house celiac-disease screening cascade, and reflexed it to the comprehensive celiac testing panel if an abnormal screening result was obtained.
Results:
A total of 60 celiac test orders were issued during the 14-month study period. The ordering physician was a gastroenterologist in 6 cases and a nongastroenterologist in 54 cases. Of the 60 orders, only 4 were approved for sending out for comprehensive celiac testing; in 52 of the 60 cases, the order was altered to celiac screening. In the remaining 4 cases, the tests were canceled as a result of incorrect orders. Only 1 of the 52 celiac screenings yielded a positive result and thus was reflexed to the comprehensive panel.
Conclusions:
We were able to induce appropriate celiac test usage by implementing a celiac-reflexive cascade. Also, our strategy proved to be extremely cost effective.
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