Curtailing laboratory test ordering in a managed care setting through redesign of a computerized order form.
Am J Manag Care
; 15(3): 173-6, 2009 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19298098
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To increase appropriate use of blood tests for folic acid and vitamin B12 ordered by primary care physicians in a managed care organization in Israel through redesign of a computerized order form. STUDYDESIGN:
Pre-post intervention.METHODS:
A new version of the computerized order form was launched. Utilization patterns were calculated for tests of vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin, which were previously grouped together. Concomitant utilization patterns for tests of hemoglobin and iron were evaluated as controls.RESULTS:
Tests ordered for the 3 targets decreased by 31% to 41% relative to the preintervention month, with a further decrease to 36% to 53% the following month. Negligible changes in utilization patterns were observed for the controls (-2% to 3%) during the postintervention period.CONCLUSIONS:
Simple restructuring of a computerized order form significantly reduced the number of laboratory tests suspected of being unnecessary or redundant. When overutilization of laboratory resources is suspected, managers should evaluate the efficiency of the organization's current ordering procedures before implementing resource-intensive interventions.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vitamin B 12
/
Managed Care Programs
/
Medical Records Systems, Computerized
/
Clinical Laboratory Techniques
/
Unnecessary Procedures
/
Ferritins
/
Folic Acid
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Manag Care
Journal subject:
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article