Strategies to promote rational clinical chemistry test utilization

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Laboratory Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Inappropriate laboratory test ordering contributes to healthcare inefficiencies.
• Multitest profiles, disease-specific panels, and outdated practices inflate costs.
• Optimizing laboratory services is crucial for resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review factors leading to inappropriate clinical chemistry test orders.
• To assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving test ordering.

Main Methods:

• Critical review of laboratory service elements influencing test ordering.
• Analysis of factors such as multitest profiles, standing orders, and software design.
• Evaluation of educational strategies, requisition design, and algorithms.

Main Results:

• Inappropriate ordering results from multitest profiles, indiscriminate requests, and poor audit trails.
• Educational strategies with sustained physician feedback are effective.
• Optimized requisitions and disease-specific algorithms improve ordering patterns.

Conclusions:

• Addressing inappropriate laboratory use requires optimizing the entire workflow.
• Resource allocation depends on efficient test ordering and reporting.
• Systemic improvements are necessary to avoid wasteful laboratory practices.