Chemical Pathology Lab Test Ordering at HUSM
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Test Ordering Pattern at the Chemical Pathology Laboratory, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
F.S. Al-Joudi, N.A. Wahab, H. Nordin
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Test Ordering Pattern at the Chemical Pathology Laboratory, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
Year: 2003
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The efficient utilization of chemical laboratory resources is a significant concern in healthcare, impacting both patient care and economic aspects. The study presented evaluates over 100,000 test requests received by the Chemical Pathology Laboratory at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 12-month period, specifically analyzing abnormal results, test duplication, and the prevalence of panel testing. Previous research has shown that over-ordering of laboratory tests is common, particularly in teaching hospitals, and can lead to increased medical expenses without necessarily enhancing clinical value.
Over-Ordering of Tests
The findings revealed a moderate degree of over-ordering primarily due to the preference for panel tests over individual test requests. Despite panel tests dominating the orders, the rate of duplicate tests was relatively low, with only 4.6% of requests found to be duplicates within the monitored time frames. Notably, abnormal result rates varied significantly among different test panels, with liver function tests (10.3%) and renal function tests (9.0%) showing higher abnormal findings, while calcium and phosphorus tests reported much lower percentages (2.0%). These results highlight the complexities surrounding test ordering practices and the potential for reducing unnecessary tests without compromising patient care.
Conclusion
In summary, while the study identified that over-ordering exists—particularly in the use of panel testing—there's room for optimizing test requests in the chemical pathology laboratory. Strategies, including encouraging individual test selection over panel orders, educating clinicians about test costs, and utilizing computerized systems to monitor request duplications, could help mitigate excessive testing. The ultimate aim is to balance the need for thorough diagnostic assessment with the efficiency and economic sustainability of laboratory services without negatively impacting the quality of medical care.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the primary focus of the study at Hospital Sains Malaysia?
The study evaluated the utilization of laboratory resources by analyzing test requests, abnormal results, test duplication, and panel-test ordering to identify potential areas for reducing over-ordering and improving laboratory usage.
What were the key findings regarding test over-ordering?
The study found a moderate degree of over-ordering, largely due to panel tests. Additionally, there was a small yet significant degree of test duplication, indicating opportunities for optimizing test requests without affecting patient care quality.
How were the tests categorized in the study?
Tests were categorized into routine tests, such as serum electrolytes and urea, and organ-profile tests, including liver and renal function tests. The analysis focused on both test panels and individual test requests.
What strategies were suggested to reduce unnecessary laboratory testing?
Strategies included promoting individual test selection over panel orders, informing clinicians about test costs, educating medical staff on lab services, and utilizing computerized systems to identify and avoid request duplication.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Chemical Pathology Lab Test Ordering at HUSM”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Study (Studying):
The study in question critically evaluates the test ordering patterns in a hospital's chemical laboratory over a significant period. By analyzing over 100,000 test requests, it uncovers trends related to over-ordering, duplication, and the use of panel tests. This retrospective approach provides insights that may lead to improved resource management in medical laboratories.
2) Education:
Education is fundamental in raising awareness among healthcare providers regarding the appropriate use of laboratory tests. The study highlights the significance of educational programs aimed at medical professionals, which could help in informing doctors about the cost and clinical value of tests, ultimately influencing their ordering behavior positively.
3) Teaching:
Teaching, particularly within medical training, plays a crucial role in shaping the understanding and skills of future healthcare professionals. The study underscores the need for teaching programs that focus on rational test utilization, which can lead to more effective patient care and a reduction in unnecessary medical testing.
4) Quality:
Quality in medical testing is paramount, affecting both diagnostic outcomes and patient care. The study discusses how excessive or duplicated testing can obscure important findings. Maintaining high-quality standards in laboratory services ensures that test results are reliable and meaningful, contributing positively to overall healthcare delivery.
5) Reason:
The reasons behind over-ordering laboratory tests, such as the reliance on panel tests and duplication, are analyzed in the study. Understanding these reasons is critical for developing strategies to optimize test ordering, thereby improving healthcare efficiency while maintaining diagnostic accuracy and minimizing unnecessary costs.
6) Medicine:
Medicine increasingly relies on laboratory tests for diagnosis and treatment decisions. The study addresses the challenges within the medical field, particularly in teaching hospitals, regarding over-ordering, which can escalate costs and dilute the quality of care, exemplifying the intricate balance between healthcare provision and resource utilization.
7) Cutting:
Cutting refers to the strategies proposed for reducing unnecessary laboratory test orders. The study advocates for cutting back on over-ordering through individual test selection and improved clinician education, which could lead to significant cost savings and enhanced focus on clinically relevant tests without compromising patient care.
8) Disease:
The detection and management of diseases rely heavily on laboratory tests. The study emphasizes the need for appropriate test ordering to identify conditions like diabetes and hyperlipidemia accurately. By addressing over-ordering practices, it aims to enhance the diagnostic process for various diseases and improve patient outcomes.
9) Table:
Tables in the study summarize various findings, such as test requests, abnormal results, and duplication rates. These visual representations facilitate quick comprehension of data and are essential for drawing conclusions about test ordering patterns, further enabling informed discussions on optimizing laboratory resource utilization.
10) Blood:
Blood tests are a fundamental component of the laboratory services evaluated in the study. Various blood parameters are included in routine and organ-profile tests, and their analysis helps in diagnosing a range of health issues, stressing the importance of proper test selection to ensure relevant healthcare outcomes.
11) Calculation:
Calculation plays a significant role in the analysis of test requests and results. The study involves calculating the total number of tests, percentages of abnormal results, and rates of duplication. These calculations are vital for understanding trends in laboratory usage and for facilitating decisions on improving test ordering practices.
12) Reliability:
Reliability pertains to the consistency and accuracy of laboratory test results. The study highlights the importance of ensuring tests are performed correctly and that the results are dependable, as this greatly influences medical decisions and patient care outcomes, making the optimization of test ordering even more critical.
13) Discussion:
The discussion section of the study is essential for interpreting the findings, considering their implications, and suggesting practical recommendations. It synthesizes data on test ordering patterns and over-ordering concerns, fostering dialogues on improving laboratory practices and ensuring that patient care remains effective and economical.
14) Wolf:
Wolf refers to one of the authors of a referenced study within the context of the literature reviewed in this research. The citation of previous work, including studies led by Wolf, lends credibility to the discussions and findings of the current study, situating it within the broader scope of research in laboratory test utilization.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Chemical Pathology Lab Test Ordering at HUSM’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Medical education, Patient care, Medical care, Laboratory test, Lipid profile, Serum electrolyte, Diagnostic value, Liver function test, Liver disease, Clinical information, Renal function test, Cardiac Enzymes, Panel Testing, Clinical laboratory, Test results, Routine tests, Cardiac marker, Clinical chemistry, Laboratory instruments, Calcium and phosphorus, Detrimental effect, Abnormal result, Abnormal findings, Medical education programs, Lipid profile test, Economic point of view, Health point of view, Medical staff.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.
Communicational problem, Medical service.