Evaluation of high cost laboratory test requests in a clinical virology-serology laboratory

Volume: 48 Number: 3 September 1, 2009
  • Bayram A
  • Gürsel D
  • Zeytinoğlu A
  • Özacar T
EN TR

Evaluation of high cost laboratory test requests in a clinical virology-serology laboratory

Abstract

Aim: Retrospective analysis of the inappropriate test requests from a virology/serology laboratory for the diagnosis of HBV, HCV and HIV infections related to requesting second step tests before first step tests and evalating the economic impact of these costly second step tests were aimed. Material and Methods: Quantitative HBV DNA, quantitative HBV DNA, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV confirmatory requests in 20 work days in October and December 2008 were evaluated according to patient's age, sex, department, former test results, ICD 10 codes, whether the patient was hospitalized, and the title of the doctor who made the request. Statistical analysis were done with chi-square test using SPSS 11.0. Results: The ratio of inappropriate laboratory test requests of these expensive tests were high as 64.71 % and 44.44 % in anti- HCV and anti-HIV confirmatory tests and low in quantitative HBV DNA (2.89 %) and quantitative HCV RNA (6.13 %) respectively. When inappropriate laboratory test requests were compared with clinician's title no statistical significance was observed in confirmatory test requests but there was a significance related with residents (p< 0.05) in quantitative HBV DNA and quantitative HCV RNA test requests. The cost of inappropriate laboratory test requests of these four tests were evaluated as approximately 6000 TL per 20 work day (month). Conclusion: Laboratories should monitor the cost analysis of the inappropriate test requests routinely and should plan education programs for avoiding inappropriate test requests when necessary. Within the institution control measures should be established locally in coorperation with the clinician, laboratory and hospital administration.

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Primary Language

Turkish

Subjects

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Journal Section

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Authors

Bayram A

Gürsel D

Zeytinoğlu A

Özacar T

Publication Date

September 1, 2009

Submission Date

September 1, 2009

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2009 Volume: 48 Number: 3

Vancouver
1.Bayram A, Gürsel D, Zeytinoğlu A, Özacar T. Klinik viroloji-seroloji laboratuvarında maliyeti yüksek test isteklerinin değerlendirilmesi. EJM [Internet]. 2009 Sep. 1;48(3):145-51. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA28CB24NA

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