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BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Correspondence

Promoting improved utilization of laboratory testing through changes in an electronic medical record: experience at an academic medical center

Authors: Matthew D Krasowski, Deborah Chudzik, Anna Dolezal, Bryan Steussy, Michael P Gailey, Benjamin Koch, Sara B Kilborn, Benjamin W Darbro, Carolyn D Rysgaard, Julia A Klesney-Tait

Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

This case study over time describes five years of experience with interventions to improve laboratory test utilization at an academic medical center. The high-frequency laboratory tests showing the biggest declines in order volume post intervention were serum albumin (36%) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (17%). Introduction of restrictions for 170 high-cost send-out tests resulted in a 23% decline in order volume. Targeted interventions reduced mis-orders involving several “look-alike” tests: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D; manganese, magnesium; beta-2-glycoprotein, beta-2-microglobulin. Lastly, targeted alerts reduced duplicate orders of germline genetic testing and orders of hepatitis B surface antigen within 2 weeks of hepatitis B vaccination.
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Metadata
Title
Promoting improved utilization of laboratory testing through changes in an electronic medical record: experience at an academic medical center
Authors
Matthew D Krasowski
Deborah Chudzik
Anna Dolezal
Bryan Steussy
Michael P Gailey
Benjamin Koch
Sara B Kilborn
Benjamin W Darbro
Carolyn D Rysgaard
Julia A Klesney-Tait
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-015-0137-7

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