Laboratory test utilization and effect on clinical outcomes in a pediatric setting

Given recent economic concerns, there has been pressure on the health-care system to improve efficiency, quality and reduce cost. The clinical laboratory is now under close scrutiny to adopt "practicing to value" which involves shifting its focus from performing many tests to performing only necessary tests. To achieve this, clinical laboratories have been implementing strategies for effective laboratory test utilization and participating in health outcome studies to provide evidenced-based insights on test utilization, clinical decision-making and policy improvements. It is essential to highlight the full spectrum of this additional role of the clinical laboratory to administrators, policy makers and other health-care stakeholders, as clinical laboratories are an easy target for economic restrictions. This review highlights how strategic stewardship implementation by a clinical laboratory improves clinical outcomes in a pediatric setting.