Reducing laboratory costs through rational testing in suspected pre-eclampsia

The current electronic laboratory order set at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust for suspected pre-eclampsia includes a full blood count, urea and electrolytes, liver function, gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid. Local and national guidelines do not recommend the use of gamma-glutamyltransferase or uric acid for the investigation or monitoring of pre-eclampsia, as they are poor predictors of maternal and neonatal outcomes. We aimed to remove the automatic inclusion of gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid from the electronic laboratory order set for suspected pre-eclampsia. Stakeholders were approached to gain an understanding of whether gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid were being used in the clinical assessment of suspected pre-eclampsia. Obstetric consultants and maternity staff confirmed that they do not use uric acid in their clinical assessment, despite the laboratory phoning with abnormal results. In addition, an isolated gamma-glutamyltransferase rise is of no particular significance and is not part of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia. The baseline number of gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid requests from the maternity department was identified over 2 months. The hospital information technology service was then asked to remove gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid from the electronic laboratory order set. The number of gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid requests from the maternity department following the intervention was identified over 2 months. A significant reduction in both gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid requests were noted. In addition, the midwives within the maternity assessment unit noted a significant reduction in phone calls from the laboratory to escalate abnormal blood results. This has saved the trust money and reduced staff time answering phone calls regarding abnormal blood results. A repeat assessment at 8 months following the removal of gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid demonstrated sustainability of the project.