Browsing by Author "Bashir, Chowdry M."

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    Reduction in Unnecessary Clinical Laboratory Testing Through Utilization Management at a US Government Veterans Affairs Hospital
    (Oxford, 2016-03) Konger, Raymond L.; Ndekwe, Paul; Jones, Genea; Schmidt, Ronald P.; Trey, Marty; Baty, Eric J.; Wilhite, Denise; Munshi, Imtiaz A.; Sutter, Bradley M.; Rao, Maddamsetti; Bashir, Chowdry M.; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Objectives: To implement an electronic laboratory utilization management system (laboratory expert system [LES]) to provide safe and effective reductions in unnecessary clinical laboratory testing. Methods: The LES is a set of frequency filter subroutines within the Veterans Affairs hospital and laboratory information system that was formulated by an interdisciplinary medical team.Results: Since implementing the LES, total test volume has decreased by a mean of 11.18% per year compared with our pre-LES test volume. This change was not attributable to fluctuations in outpatient visits or inpatient days of care. Laboratory cost savings were estimated at $151,184 and $163,751 for 2012 and 2013, respectively. A significant portion of these cost savings was attributable to reductions in high-volume, large panel testing. No adverse effects on patient care were reported, and mean length of stay for patients remained unchanged. Conclusions: Electronic laboratory utilization systems can effectively reduce unnecessary laboratory testing without compromising patient care.