Requests of laboratory tests for the diagnosis and management of calcium-phosphate disorders in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the variability in the request of calcium-phosphate metabolism laboratory tests in primary care is important to design strategies to improve health system efficiency. AIM: To compare the inter-practice variability in calcium-phosphate metabolism laboratory tests requested by general practitioners from diverse regions across Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and forty one clinical laboratories were invited to participate in an observational cross-sectional study. They informed the number of serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D requested by general practitioners. Appropriateness indicators were calculated as number of test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and ratio of related tests requests. The differences according to hospital setting, region and type of management were analyzed. RESULTS: We recruited 76 laboratories (17,679,195 inhabitants). General practitioners requested 3,260,894 calcium-phosphate metabolism tests. The rate of request ranged from 2.97 per 1,000 inhabitants for 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 98.89 per 1,000 inhabitants for calcium. The rates of request for calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone in some areas were 30, 100 and 340 times higher than in other areas. Parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were highly requested in private management areas. There were also differences in phosphate, parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D requesting between regions across Spain. CONCLUSIONS: The high variability observed is difficult to explain by differences in patient case mix between regions. Depending on the area, calcium could be under requested to detect primary hyperparathyroidism.

Requests of laboratory tests for the diagnosis and management of calcium-phosphate disorders in Spain / Solicitud de pruebas de laboratorio para el diagnóstico y manejo de los desórdenes del metabolismo fosfocálcico en España

Background: Knowledge about the variability in the request of calcium-phosphate metabolism laboratory tests in primary care is important to design strategies to improve health system efficiency. Aim: To compare the inter-practice variability in calcium-phosphate metabolism laboratory tests requested by general practitioners from diverse regions across Spain. Material and Methods: One hundred and forty one clinical laboratories were invited to participate in an observational cross-sectional study. They informed the number of serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D requested by general practitioners. Appropriateness indicators were calculated as number of test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and ratio of related tests requests. The differences according to hospital setting, region and type of management were analyzed. Results: We recruited 76 laboratories (17,679,195 inhabitants). General practitioners requested 3,260,894 calcium-phosphate metabolism tests. The rate of request ranged from 2.97 per 1,000 inhabitants for 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 98.89 per 1,000 inhabitants for calcium. The rates of request for calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone in some areas were 30, 100 and 340 times higher than in other areas. Parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were highly requested in private management areas. There were also differences in phosphate, parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D requesting between regions across Spain. Conclusions: The high variability observed is difficult to explain by differences in patient case mix between regions. Depending on the area, calcium could be under requested to detect primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objetivo: Conocer la variabilidad en la solicitud de pruebas de laboratorio en atención primaria es importante para diseñar estrategias que mejoren la eficiencia del sistema de salud. La propuesta de este estudio fue comparar la variabilidad en la solicitud de pruebas para la evaluación del metabolismo fosfocálcico por médicos de atención primaria de diversas regiones de España. Material y Método: Se invitó a participar a 141 laboratorios clínicos de diversas regiones españolas. Completaron una encuesta con el número de determinaciones de calcio, fósforo, hormona paratiroidea y 25-hidroxivitamina D solicitadas por médicos de atención primaria de sus áreas. Se calcularon las tasas en relación a la población y se construyeron indicadores de adecuación. Los resultados se compararon por características del hospital, región y tipo de gestión. Resultados: Obtuvimos los datos de 76 laboratorios (17.679.195 habitantes). Los médicos de atención primaria solicitaron 3.260.894 pruebas de metabolismo fosfocálcico. La tasa de solicitud varió de 2,97 por 1.000 habitantes de 25-hidroxivitamin D a 98,89 por 1.000 habitantes de calcio. Las tasas de calcio, fósforo, hormona paratiroidea en algunas áreas fue 30, 100 y 340 veces más alta respecto a otras. Hormona paratiroidea y 25-hidroxivitamina D fueron más solicitadas significativamente en hospitales con gestión privada. También hubo diferencias en fósforo, hormona paratiroidea y 25-hidroxivitamina D solicitas entre distintas regiones de España. Discusión: La alta variabilidad observada es difícil de explicar por las diferencias de las características de los pacientes. Dependiendo de la región podría haber una infra solicitud para la detección del hiperparatiroidismo primario.

Potential risk for inappropriate dyslipidemia screening in Primary Care in Spain / Riesgo potencial en el screening inapropiado de dislipemia en atención primaria en España

Introduction. To compare the inter-practice variability in lipid metabolism laboratory tests requested by General Practitioners in Spain using appropriateness indicators and investigate the variability according to the different characteristics of the geographical regions. Materials and methods. 141 clinical laboratories were invited to participate from diverse regions across Spain. We obtained the number of serum cholesterol, high-density cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and triglycerides requested by General Practitioners for the year 2012. Two types of appropriateness indicators were calculated: test requests per 1000 inhabitants and ratio of related tests requests (HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol, triglycerides /cholesterol). The indicators results obtained in different setting, with different type of management and in different geographical areas were compared. Results. We obtained production statistics from 76 laboratories who attended a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants from 13 Communities throughout Spain. 5,823,053 cholesterol, 4,544,663 HDL-cholesterol and 5,599,358 triglycerides tests were ordered. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides per 1000 inhabitants indicators results ranged from 106.3 to 550.7; 20.4 to 417.5 and from 94.0 to 439.2 respectively. HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol, triglycerides/cholesterol indicators results ranged from 0.19 to 1.00 and from 0.54 to 1.00 respectively. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were higher requested in rural areas. No significant differences in tests requests were observed based on Spanish Community. Conclusion. There was a high variability in cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol requesting in primary care in Spain. Cholesterol was probably inappropriately under requested to screen for hypercholesterolemia in certain areas that would suggests a potential risk for inappropriate dyslipidemia screening in general population, emphasizing the need to establish interventions (AU)

Introducción. Estudiar la solicitud de pruebas de laboratorio relacionadas con el metabolismo lipídico desde atención primaria para averiguar la variabilidad en su demanda y su relación con las diferentes características de las áreas. Material y métodos. Se invitó a participar a 141 laboratorios de distintas regiones. Se requería que remitieran el número de pruebas de colesterol, colesterol HDL (cHDL) y triglicéridos solicitadas desde atención primaria en el año 2012. Se calculó la solicitud anual por 1.000 habitantes y el ratio de solicitud de 2 pruebas relacionadas. Resultados. Se recibió la estadística de 76 laboratorios que atendían a una población de 17.679.195 habitantes y pertenecían a 13 comunidades españolas. En total, se solicitaron 5.823.053 pruebas de colesterol, 4.544.663 de cHDL y 5.599.358 de triglicéridos. El número de pruebas de colesterol, cHDL y triglicéridos solicitados por 1.000 habitantes fue de 106,3 a 550,7, de 20,4 a 417,5 y de 94,0 a 439,2, respectivamente. El ratio de solicitudes de cHDL/colesterol y triglicéridos/colesterol fue de 0,19 a 1,00 y de 0,54 a 1,00, respectivamente. El colesterol, el cHDL y los triglicéridos fueron más solicitados en áreas rurales que en urbanas o rurales/urbanas. No se observaron diferencias relacionadas con la comunidad autónoma. Conclusión. Existió una gran variabilidad en la solicitud desde atención primaria de colesterol, cHDL y triglicéridos El colesterol en determinadas áreas es probable que fuera inadecuadamente solicitado por defecto, lo que sugiere un potencial riesgo de inadecuado cribado de dislipidemia en la población general e indica la necesidad de diseñar y establecer medidas correctoras (AU)

Solicitud de pruebas de función tiroidea desde Atención Primaria en España / Request of thyroid function tests from Primary Care in Spain

Antecedentes y objetivos: Las pruebas de laboratorio son cruciales en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de las disfunciones tiroideas, lo que hace necesario estudiar cuál es el patrón de su demanda y la variabilidad en la solicitud. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron comparar la variabilidad en la solicitud de pruebas de función y autoinmunidad tiroidea (tirotropina tiroxina libre [T4L], triyodotironina libre [T3L], anticuerpos frente a la tiroglobulina [TgAb] y anticuerpos antiperoxidasa [TPOAb]) por parte de los médicos de atención primaria entre diferentes departamentos de salud españoles, y calcular el potencial ahorro económico que supondría alcanzar las metas de algunos indicadores de adecuación descritos previamente en la literatura. Métodos: Se compararon el número de pruebas por 1.000 habitantes y las ratios de pruebas relacionadas (T4L/TSH, T3L/TSH, TgAb/TPOAb) entre los diferentes departamentos en función de su ubicación, tipo de gestión y la región. Se calculó el ahorro generado si cada departamento alcanzara la meta propuesta en la literatura para los indicadores T4L/TSH (0,25) y T3L/TSH (0,1). Resultados: Un total de 76 laboratorios que atienden a una población de 17.679.195 habitantes participaron en el estudio. La solicitud de TSH fue significativamente menor en los departamentos de salud rurales-urbanos y la solicitud de T3L, la ratio T3L/TSH y la ratio TgAb/TPOAb fueron mayores en los departamentos con gestión privada. El ahorro que se generaría si se cumplieran las especificaciones para las ratios de pruebas relacionadas ascendería a 937.260,5 €. Conclusiones: La elevada variabilidad descrita en la solicitud de pruebas de función y autoinmunidad tiroidea en España hace necesario implementar estrategias para mejorar esta solicitud (AU)

Background and objectives: Laboratory tests are crucial for diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disorders. It is therefore necessary to study the pattern and variability in requests of thyroid function tests. The study objectives were to compare the inter-regional variability in the request of laboratory thyroid tests by general practitioners (GPs) in Spain, and to investigate the potential economic savings if the goals set for some suitability indicators were reached. Methods: Test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and test ratios (free thyroxine (FT4)/thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3)/TSH, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)/peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)) were compared between the different areas, according to their setting, location, and management. The resulting savings if each department achieved the goals for indicator (0.25 for FT4/TSH, 0.1 for FT3/TSH) were estimated. Results: Seventy-six laboratories covering a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants participated in the study. TSH was requested significantly less in urban-rural areas, and the requests for FT3/1,000 inhabitants, FT3/TSH, and TgAb/TPOAb were higher in departments with private management. The savings generated if specifications for the ratios of related tests were met would be 937,260.5 €. Conclusions: The high variability reported in requests for thyroid function and autoimmunity tests in Spain suggests the need for implementing strategies to improve use of such tests (AU)

Request of thyroid function tests from Primary Care in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laboratory tests are crucial for diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disorders. It is therefore necessary to study the pattern and variability in requests of thyroid function tests. The study objectives were to compare the inter-regional variability in the request of laboratory thyroid tests by general practitioners (GPs) in Spain, and to investigate the potential economic savings if the goals set for some suitability indicators were reached. METHODS: Test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and test ratios (free thyroxine (FT4)/thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3)/TSH, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)/peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)) were compared between the different areas, according to their setting, location, and management. The resulting savings if each department achieved the goals for indicator (0.25 for FT4/TSH, 0.1 for FT3/TSH) were estimated. RESULTS: Seventy-six laboratories covering a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants participated in the study. TSH was requested significantly less in urban-rural areas, and the requests for FT3/1,000 inhabitants, FT3/TSH, and TgAb/TPOAb were higher in departments with private management. The savings generated if specifications for the ratios of related tests were met would be 937,260.5 €. CONCLUSIONS: The high variability reported in requests for thyroid function and autoimmunity tests in Spain suggests the need for implementing strategies to improve use of such tests.

Request of acute phase markers in primary care in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To study the inter-practice variability in Spain--by institution, management, and regional characteristics--of the frequency and appropriateness of test requests made by primary care practitioners for acute phase markers. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred forty-one clinical laboratories were invited to participate by providing the number of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and complete blood count (CBC) tests requested by general practitioners. We calculated the ratio of test requests per 1000 inhabitants, ratios of related test requests, and variability index (90th percentile/10th percentile). We compared the results among the different areas according to their setting, location, and management. RESULTS: We recruited 64 laboratories (14,846,065 inhabitants). There were almost twice as many ESR requests as CRP requests; the variability index for ESR was almost double that of CRP. Furthermore, the latter was underrequested in rural-urban areas compared with rural. The ESR/CBC and ESR/CRP ratios are lower in institutions with private management, and the number of ESR requested in institutions with private management are lower than that of public. The differences among Spanish regions were reported for ESR per 1000 inhabitants, ESR/CBC, and ESR/CRP. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant variability in the requests made by primary care practitioners for patients' acute phase markers. Rates were influenced by geographic location, hospital setting, and institution management. ESR was inappropriately overrequested; strong efforts should be made to adjust the requests of ESR and to standardize the use of CRP measurement.

Larger differences in utilization of rarely requested tests in primary care in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The study was performed to compare and analyze the inter-departmental variability in the request of rarely requested laboratory tests in primary care, as opposed to other more common and highly requested tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from production statistics for the year 2012 from 76 Spanish laboratories was used. The number of antinuclear antibodies, antistreptolysin O, creatinine, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, deaminated peptide gliadine IgA antibodies, glucose, protein electrophoresis, rheumatoid factor, transglutaminase IgA antibodies, urinalysis and uric acid tests requested was collected. The number of test requests per 1000 inhabitants was calculated. In order to explore the variability the coefficient of quartile dispersion was calculated. RESULTS: The smallest variation was seen for creatinine, glucose, uric acid and urinalysis; the most requested tests. The tests that were least requested showed the greatest variability. CONCLUSION: Our study shows through a very simplified approach, in a population close to twenty million inhabitants, how in primary care, the variability in the request of laboratory tests is inversely proportional to the request rate.

Diferencias en la solicitud de antígeno prostático específico desde atención primaria: estudio piloto en España / Differences in Prostatic Specific Antigen request patterns in Primary Care setting: A Pilot study in Spain

OBJETIVO: A pesar de la actual controversia, el cribado de cáncer de prostata mediante el procesamiento del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) se aplica ampliamente en la práctica diaria, no habiendose valorado en profundidad la variabilidad en la práctica clínica causada por las diferentes recomendaciones. El objetivo fue comparar la variabilidad en el uso de la determinación de PSA por parte de los médicos de Atención Primaria (AP) entre diferentes departamentos de salud españoles. MÉTODOS: 76 laboratorios que atienden a una población de 17.679.195 habitantes cumplimentaron un formulario que incluia el número de PSA total y libre (tPSA y fPSA) solicitados por los médicos de AP en año 2012. Se calcularon el número de pruebas solicitadas por 1.000 habitantes y el ratio fPSA/tPSA. Estas variables se compararon entre los diferentes hospitales en función de su entorno (urbano, urbano-rural o rural) y el tipo de gestión (pública/privada). Se calculó el número de tPSA necesarios a solicitar para cumplir con las directrices más recientes de la Asociación Europea de Urología de acuerdo a las características demográficas de España en dos escenarios posibles, dependiendo de la frecuencia de solicitud de tPSA: intervalos de determinación de 2-4 años y de 8 años. RESULTADOS: tPSA/1.000 habitantes varió desde 8,2 hasta 92,7. Fue significativamente mayor en las zonas rurales y varió significativamente entre las distintas zonas geográficas. fPSA/1.000 habitantes fue mayor en los hospitales con gestión privada. La solicitud de un total de 1.755.712 pruebas tPSA adicionales hubiera sido necesario para seguir las directrices en el primer escenario y de 112.129 en el segundo. CONCLUSIÓN: Son necesarias políticas nacionales y regionales para optimizar el uso de tPSA para la detección temprana del cáncer de próstata

OBJECTIVE: Despite the controversies on its use, Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) screening is widely applied in clinical practice, and the variability these different recommendations could produce in daily clinical practice is not profoundly assessed. The objective was to compare the inter-practice and inter-regional variability in total and free PSA (tPSA and fPSA) requests by General Practitioners (GPs). METHODS: 76 laboratories covering a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants filled out the number of tPSA and fPSA requested by GPs during the year 2012. Test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and fPSA/tPSA request ratio were calculated. These variables were compared for the different hospitals according to their setting (urban, urban-rural or rural, location), and type of management (public/private). The tPSA requests necessary to comply with the recent guidelines from the European Association of Urology were calculated according to Spanish demographic characteristics in two possible scenarios depending on tPSA request: 2-4 years and 8 years interval. RESULTS: tPSA/1,000 inhabitants ranged from 8.2 to 92.7. It was significantly higher in rural areas and varied significantly among the different geographical areas. fPSA/1,000 inhabitants was higher in hospitals with private management. A total of 1,755,712 additional tPSA tests would have been necessary to follow guidelines in the first scenario and 112,129 in the second. CONCLUSION: National and regional policies are necessary to optimize the use of tPSA to detect an early prostate cancer

[Differences in Prostatic Specific Antigen request patterns in Primary Care setting: A Pilot study in Spain]. / DIFERENCIAS EN LA SOLICITUD DE ANTÍGENO PROSTÁTICO ESPECÍFICO DESDE ATENCIÓN PRIMARIA: ESTUDIO PILOTO EN ESPAÑIA.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the controversies on its use, Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) screening is widely applied in clinical practice, and the variability these different recommendations could produce in daily clinical practice is not profoundly assessed. The objective was to compare the inter-practice and inter-regional variability in total and free PSA (tPSA and fPSA) requests by General Practitioners (GPs). METHODS: 76 laboratories covering a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants filled out the number of tPSA and fPSA requested by GPs during the year 2012. Test requests per 1,000 inhabitants and fPSA/tPSA request ratio were calculated. These variables were compared for the different hospitals according to their setting (urban, urban-rural or rural, location), and type of management (public/private). The tPSA requests necessary to comply with the recent guidelines from the European Association of Urology were calculated according to Spanish demographic characteristics in two possible scenarios depending on tPSA request: 2-4 years and 8 years interval. RESULTS: tPSA/1,000 inhabitants ranged from 8.2 to 92.7. It was significantly higher in rural areas and varied significantly among the different geographical areas. fPSA/1,000 inhabitants was higher in hospitals with private management. A total of 1,755,712 additional tPSA tests would have been necessary to follow guidelines in the first scenario and 112,129 in the second. CONCLUSION: National and regional policies are necessary to optimize the use of tPSA to detect an early prostate cancer.

Request of laboratory liver tests in primary care in Spain: potential savings if appropriateness indicator targets were achieved.

AIMS: Liver laboratory tests are used to screen for liver disease, suggest the underlying cause, estimate the severity, assess prognosis, and monitor the efficacy of therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the liver laboratory tests requesting patterns by GPs in Spain, according to geographic and hospital characteristics, to investigate the degree of requesting appropriateness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-one clinical laboratories were invited to participate from diverse regions across Spain. They filed out the number of laboratory liver tests requested by GPs for the year 2012. Two types of appropriateness indicators were calculated: every test request per 1000 inhabitants or ratios of related tests requests. The indicator results obtained were compared between the different hospitals, according to their setting, location, and management. The savings generated, if each area would have achieved indicator targets, were calculated. RESULTS: We recruited 76 laboratories covering a population of 17,679,195 inhabitants. GPs requested 20,916,780 laboratory liver tests in the year 2012. No differences were obtained according to their setting. Lactate dehydrogenase and direct bilirubin per 1000 inhabitants were significantly higher in institutions with private management. Largest differences were observed between communities. Nine, 31, 0, and 13 laboratories, respectively, achieved the aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin-related alanine aminotransferase indicator targets. Reaching ratios would have resulted in savings of €1,028,468. CONCLUSION: There was a high variability in the request of liver tests. This emphasizes the need to implement interventions to improve appropriate use of liver tests.

Potential over request in anemia laboratory tests in primary care in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study the inter-practice variability in anemia laboratory tests requested by general practitioners in Spain, to evaluate for a potential requesting inappropriateness. METHODS: Laboratories from diverse Spanish regions filled out the number of cell blood count, ferritin, folate, iron, transferrin, and vitamin B12 requested by general practitioners during 2012. The number of test requests per 1000 inhabitants and ratios of related tests requests were calculated. The results obtained in hospitals from different areas (urban, rural, or urban-rural), type of management (public or private), and geographic regions were compared. RESULTS: There was a high variability in the number of test requests and ratios of related tests. Cell blood count was over requested in rural areas and in hospitals with private management. Andalucía was the community with the lowest number of iron requests and the lowest folate/vitamin B12 indicator value. CONCLUSIONS: Iron and transferrin seemed over requested in some areas; as were folate and ferritin when compared to vitamin B12 and cell blood count, respectively. The differences observed between areas indicate that other factors besides clinical reasons could be behind that variability and emphasize the need to accomplish interventions to improve the appropriate use of anemia laboratory tests.

Primary care use of laboratory tests in Spain: measurement through appropriateness indicators.

BACKGROUND: To compare the inter-practice and inter-regional variability in laboratory test requests by general practitioners in Spain, through the measure of appropriateness indicators. METHODS: A call for data was posted on the Redconlab website. We obtained production statistics for 2010 from laboratories in 37 different hospitals from diverse Spanish regions. The following appropriateness indicators were calculated: test requests per 1000 inhabitants, ratios of related tests requests and index of variability. The results obtained in the laboratories in the region of authors were compared to the rest of the participating laboratories in order to establish whether there were regional differences in the test requesting patterns. RESULTS: The rate of request of the tests ranged from 31.5 per 1000 inhabitants for vitamin B12 to 372.6 per 1000 inhabitants for glucose. The index of variability ranged from 1.53 for glucose and triglycerides to 7.4 for alkaline phosphatase. Regarding the ratios of related test requests, the variability index ranged from 1.24 for folic acid/vitamin B12 to 26.38 for lactate dehydrogenase/alanine transaminase. The most frequently ordered tests were the ones with less variability, except for uric acid and urinalysis. No significant differences were identified between the results of the laboratories in the region of authors and the rest, except for urinalysis (p < 0.001), folic acid/vitamin B12 (p = 0.030), and transferrin/ferritin (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable variability exists in laboratory test ordering patterns by general practitioners across Spanish regions. Local habits must have been decisive as shown by the regional differences in the results of indicators of some tests. The study results bring out the need to accomplish interventions to improve appropriate use of laboratory tests.

A study of the differences in the request of glycated hemoglobin in primary care in Spain: A global, significant, and potentially dangerous under-request.

OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to compare the variability and appropriateness in the request of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in primary care in Spain. DESIGN AND METHODS: 76 Spanish laboratories from diverse regions across Spain filled out the number of HbA1c tests requested by general practitioners (GPs) during the year 2012. Every patient seen at the different primary care centers was included in the study. Each participating laboratory was required to provide organizational data. The number of HbA1c requests per 1000 inhabitants was calculated and compared between regions. To investigate whether HbA1c was appropriately requested to manage and to diagnose Diabetes Mellitus (DM), the number of necessary HbA1c was calculated, according to the disease prevalence in Spain (6.9%) and the guidelines regarding DM management and diagnosis. RESULTS: 17679195 patients were included in the study. A total of 1544551 HbA1c tests were ordered. No significant difference in the number of HbA1c requests per 1000 inhabitants was seen according to hospital setting (rural, urban or rural-urban). No significant differences were noticed between 3 Spanish regions, except the Valencian Community that presented higher values. Regarding the request appropriateness, 3280183 additional tests would have been necessary to manage diabetic patients and to diagnose new patients with the disease. CONCLUSION: There was a high variability regarding the request of HbA1c; the test was under-requested in all the participating health departments. This emphasizes the need to accomplish interventions to improve an appropriate use.

Differences in laboratory requesting patterns in emergency department in Spain.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to achieve a reduction in the number of requests for laboratory tests by improving the appropriateness of testing behaviour. The aim of the study was, first, to compare laboratory requiring patterns for emergency department (ED) patients in clinical laboratories of different institutions in Spain; second, to design an appropriateness pre-pre-analytical quality control report based on appropriateness indicators. METHODS: A call for data was posted on a website. We obtained production statistics for the year 2010 from emergency laboratories at 36 hospitals. Two types of appropriateness indicators were calculated: test request per 1000 ED admissions or related test requesting ratios. In order to explore the inter-practice variability in tests requests, the 'index of variability' was calculated. A pre-pre-analytical quality control report was designed, prepared and sent to each participating laboratory. The savings generated, if each Health-care Department would have achieved the appropriate indicator standard, were calculated. RESULTS: The rate of request of the stat tests ranged from 44 to 412 per 1000 ED patient admissions. There was a high and peculiar dispersion of related test requesting ratio results. If every single laboratory would have achieved the appropriate indicator, we would have saved 1,019,230 urea, 302,511 AST and 316,161 CK unnecessary tests. CONCLUSIONS: There are large variations of test requesting in the emergency setting. An appropriateness pre-pre-analytical quality control report was useful for comparing requesting patterns. The study shows the need to unify demand. The key to achieve this goal will be interdepartmental cooperation between ED clinicians and laboratory professionals.

Reducing preanalytical laboratory sample errors through educational and technological interventions.

BACKGROUND: A correct preanalytical phase procedure is critical to get an adequate sample and consequently to achieve the most reliable laboratory results, promoting patient safety. Continuous laboratory staff changes create the need to establish improvement strategies to reduce the error risk. The objective was to show how the numbers of preanalytical errors related to unsuitable samples in a hospital setting decrease following two improvement strategies related to new technology and educational actions and how their effects were measured by monitoring indicators. METHODS: Samples were drawn by the laboratory and other hospital departments' nurses without previous patient appointment, therefore, prior tube preparation was not available before the phlebotomy. Corrective measures for these activities were established: educational program for nurses and a system of custom labels, which correlate each laboratory test in the Laboratory Information System (LIS) with the corresponding tube. Three phases were defined based on the implementation dates of the improvement actions to be assessed. The set of indicators designed to monitor the improvement related to clotted, hemolyzed, insufficient, and uncollected samples. Data were collected and indicators calculated from the LIS using a data warehouse application. Patient satisfaction with respect to phlebotomy was also measured annually using a scoring survey. RESULTS: There was a reduction in all types of preanalytical sample errors related to the improvement strategies adopted. The indicators demonstrated that the unavailable, insufficient, and clotted samples decreased between two- and three-fold, whereas hemolysis errors benefited more from these improvement strategies. Patient satisfaction with the laboratory and phlebotomy procedures improved over the past several years as based on the annual satisfaction surveys. CONCLUSIONS: The educational program for nursing personnel is relevant and important as can be seen in the decrease of sample errors and the resulting quality improvement. The custom label system minimizes the potential oversight of forgetting to draw a tube, which happens frequently when operating without appointments, by printing the labels according to requested tests. Detection, identification, and monitoring of the error and implementing strategies to improve preanalytical quality reduces error numbers and thereby improves patient safety and health system outcomes.

Regional variations in test requiring patterns of general practitioners in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the requesting patterns for a range of laboratory tests ordered in 2009 from eight laboratories providing services to eight health areas, using appropriate indicators. DESIGN: Indicators measured every test request per 1,000 inhabitants, and indicators that measured the number of tests per related test requested by general practitioners were calculated. The savings generated, if each Health Care Department achieved the appropriate indicator standard, were also calculated. Laboratory Information System registers were collected, and indicators were calculated automatically in each laboratory using a data warehouse application. RESULTS: There was a large difference in demand for tests by health areas. The ratio of related tests also showed a great variability. The savings generated if each Health Care Department had achieved the appropriate indicator standard were €172,116 for free thyroxine, €18,289 for aspartate aminotransferase, and €62,678 for urea. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable variability exists in general practitioners' demand for laboratory tests.

Evaluation of PSA testing by general practitioners: regional study in the autonomic Community of Valencia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to compare the use of PSA testing among general practitioners (GPs). METHODS: The number of PSA tests ordered by general practitioners in the years 2008-2009 was examined in a cross-sectional study of nine health districts of Spain. The percentage of PSA ordered to men younger than 50 (PSA<50/PSAtotal) and 40 years (PSA<40/PSAtotal) was calculated. The percentage of men over 50 years who were attended was also calculated and this data was compared with the number of PSA ordered to this population. For two of the departments, these data were also compared between GPs and urologists. RESULTS: PSA testing in 2009 is higher than 2008 in seven health districts. PSA testing in men younger than 50 years was increased along the period of the study and in men younger than 40 years remained steady. The differences between the values of the indicators for urologists and GPs are significant. CONCLUSIONS: The number of PSA tests and the percentage performed to men younger 50 years has been increasing and the variability is high. These data are suggestive for interventions focused on PSA testing and prostate cancer screening in primary care settings.