Reducing Unnecessary Laboratory Testing: A Quality Improvement Initiative at Wellstar Spalding Medical Center.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Quality Improvement
• Medical Economics

Background:

• Healthcare costs are rising due to inefficient resource utilization, including unnecessary laboratory tests.
• Unnecessary blood tests increase expenses, prolong hospital stays, and risk patient complications like iatrogenic anemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decrease unnecessary laboratory testing at Wellstar Spalding Medical Center.
• To improve high-value care practices within a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• Developed an algorithm for ordering complete blood counts and metabolic profiles.
• Conducted didactic sessions for residents and faculty on test ordering, costs, and electronic medical record use.
• Analyzed laboratory order data pre- and post-intervention, adjusting for physician-patient interaction days.

Main Results:

• Observed an absolute decrease in complete blood count and metabolic profile orders post-intervention.
• The decrease in laboratory test orders remained consistent when adjusted for physician-patient interaction days, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• The project achieved clinically and administratively meaningful reductions in unnecessary laboratory testing and associated costs.
• Raised awareness of high-value care and daily blood test ordering among residents, potentially enhancing patient experience and reducing hospital stay.
• Further investigation could confirm prevention of iatrogenic anemia and its impact on patient outcomes.