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Mahowald GK, Lewandrowski KB, Dighe AS. Clinical decision support to improve CBC and differential ordering. Am J Clin Pathol 2024:aqae024. [PMID: 38507618 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Complete blood count and differential (CBC diff) is a common laboratory test that may be overused or misordered, particularly in an inpatient setting. We assessed the ability of a clinical decision support (CDS) alert to decrease unnecessary orders for CBC diff and analyzed its impact in the laboratory. METHODS We designed 3 CDS alerts to provide guidance to providers ordering CBC diff on inpatients at frequencies of daily, greater than once daily, or as needed. RESULTS The 3 alerts were highly effective in reducing orders for CBC diff at the frequencies targeted by the alert. Overall, test volume for CBC diff decreased by 32% (mean of 5257 tests per month) after implementation of the alerts, with a corresponding decrease of 22% in manual differentials performed (mean of 898 per month). Turnaround time for manual differentials decreased by a mean of 41.5 minutes, with a mean decrease of up to 90 minutes during peak morning hours. CONCLUSIONS The 3 CDS alerts successfully decreased inpatient orders for CBC diff and improved the quality of patient care by decreasing turnaround time for manual differentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace K Mahowald
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Kent B Lewandrowski
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Anand S Dighe
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
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Devis L, Catry E, Honore PM, Mansour A, Lippi G, Mullier F, Closset M. Interventions to improve appropriateness of laboratory testing in the intensive care unit: a narrative review. Ann Intensive Care 2024; 14:9. [PMID: 38224401 PMCID: PMC10789714 DOI: 10.1186/s13613-024-01244-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare expenses are increasing, as is the utilization of laboratory resources. Despite this, between 20% and 40% of requested tests are deemed inappropriate. Improper use of laboratory resources leads to unwanted consequences such as hospital-acquired anemia, infections, increased costs, staff workload and patient stress and discomfort. The most unfavorable consequences result from unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments (overuse) and missed or delayed diagnoses (underuse). In this context, several interventions have been carried out to improve the appropriateness of laboratory testing. To date, there have been few published assessments of interventions specific to the intensive care unit. We reviewed the literature for interventions implemented in the ICU to improve the appropriateness of laboratory testing. We searched literature from 2008 to 2023 in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between April and June 2023. Five intervention categories were identified: education and guidance (E&G), audit and feedback, gatekeeping, computerized physician order entry (including reshaping of ordering panels), and multifaceted interventions (MFI). We included a sixth category exploring the potential role of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-based assisting tools in such interventions. E&G-based interventions and MFI are the most frequently used approaches. MFI is the most effective type of intervention, and shows the strongest persistence of effect over time. AI/ML-based tools may offer valuable assistance to the improvement of appropriate laboratory testing in the near future. Patient safety outcomes are not impaired by interventions to reduce inappropriate testing. The literature focuses mainly on reducing overuse of laboratory tests, with only one intervention mentioning underuse. We highlight an overall poor quality of methodological design and reporting and argue for standardization of intervention methods. Collaboration between clinicians and laboratory staff is key to improve appropriate laboratory utilization. This article offers practical guidance for optimizing the effectiveness of an intervention protocol designed to limit inappropriate use of laboratory resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Devis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry, CHU UCL Namur, Université catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Emilie Catry
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry, CHU UCL Namur, Université catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Pôle Mont Godinne (MONT), UCLouvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Patrick M Honore
- Department of Intensive Care, CHU UCL Namur, Université catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Mansour
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Pontchaillou University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France
- IRSET-INSERM-1085, Univ Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - François Mullier
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hematology, CHU UCL Namur, Université catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium
- Namur Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center (NTHC), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Namur, Belgium
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Pôle Mont Godinne (MONT), UCLouvain, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Mélanie Closset
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry, CHU UCL Namur, Université catholique de Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Pôle Mont Godinne (MONT), UCLouvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
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Tran A, Hudoba M, Markin T, Roland K. Sustainable Laboratory-Driven Method to Decrease Repeat, Same-Day WBC Differentials at a Tertiary Care Center. Am J Clin Pathol 2022; 157:561-565. [PMID: 34617986 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A CBC with WBC differential is often ordered when a CBC alone would be sufficient for patient care. Performing unnecessary WBC differentials adds to costs in the laboratory. Our objective was to implement a laboratory middleware algorithm to cancel repeat, same-day WBC differentials to achieve lasting improvements in laboratory resource allocation. METHODS Repeat same-day WBC differentials were first canceled only on intensive care unit samples; after a successful trial period, the algorithm was applied hospital-wide. We retrospectively reviewed CBC with differential orders from pre- and postimplementation periods to estimate the reduction in WBC differentials and potential cost savings. RESULTS The algorithm led to a monthly WBC differential cancellation rate of 5.40% for a total of 10,195 canceled WBC differentials during the cumulative postimplementation period (September 25, 2019, to December 31, 2020). Nearly all (99.94%) differentials remained canceled. Most patients only had one WBC differential canceled (range, 1-38). Savings estimates showed savings of $0.99 CAD per canceled differential and 1,060 minutes (17.7 hours) of technologist time. CONCLUSIONS A middleware algorithm to cancel repeat, same-day WBC differentials is a simple and sustainable way to achieve lasting improvements in laboratory utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Tran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Monika Hudoba
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Todd Markin
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kristine Roland
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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Roland K, Yakimec J, Markin T, Chan G, Hudoba M. Customized middleware experience in a tertiary care hospital hematology laboratory. J Pathol Inform 2022; 13:100143. [PMID: 36268082 PMCID: PMC9577123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpi.2022.100143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the clinical laboratory, middleware is a software application that sits between the analyzer and the laboratory information system (LIS). One of the more common uses of middleware is to perform more efficient result autoverification than can be achieved by the LIS or analyzer alone. In addition to autoverification, middleware can support highly customized rules to handle samples and results from specific patient locations. The objective of this study was to review the impact of customized middleware rules that were designed and implemented in the hematology laboratory of a 1000-bed tertiary care adult academic center hospital. Methods Three novel initiatives using middleware rules to achieve workflow efficiencies were retrospectively reviewed over different audit periods: preliminary neutrophil resulting for oncology patients, microcytosis interpretive comments, and 1 white blood cell differential (WBCD) reported per day. In addition, autoverification rates for complete blood count and differential (CBCD) and coagulation tests were calculated. Results A preliminary neutrophil count was released from middleware on average 64 min before the final CBCD for Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant (L/BMT) outpatients, and on average 59 min earlier for oncology patients. Reflexing interpretive comments for select instances of microcytosis removed on average 500 slides per month from technologist review with an estimated cost savings of approximately $3383.33 CAD per month. The 1 WBCD per day rule resulted in a 5.1% cancelation rate, resulting in an estimated monthly cost savings of $943.46 CAD in reagents and technologist time. Finally, middleware rules achieved very high autoverification rates of 97.2% and 88.3% for CBC and CBCD results, respectively. Conclusions Implementation of customized middleware hematology rules in our institution resulted in multiple positive impacts on workflow, achieving high autoverification rates, reduced slide reviews, cost savings, and improved standardization.
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Lollie TK, Parks R, Bakic L, Ziman A, Pullarkat S. Educational cost-effective intervention to reduce pathologist's peripheral blood smears reviews with non-contributory findings: an academic institution experience. J Clin Pathol 2021; 75:154-158. [PMID: 34782422 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2021-207905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral blood smear (PBS) review by a pathologist is a necessary and invaluable diagnostic tool. However, innovative highly sophisticated haematology analysers that flag peripheral blood abnormalities have decreased the need for a PBS review. Ordering practices including PBS reviews lumped as part of an 'order set' or with complete blood count (CBC) constituted most PBS requests at our institution. A retrospective review of all PBS review orders from 1 April 2016 to 31 January 2017 was performed to investigate the ordering practices at our institution. A total of 2864 PBS were ordered during the above study period. In many cases, the PBS report did not add any significant clinical information beyond that acquired by the CBC and differential count. These findings inspired policy changes within our institution for pathologist PBS reviews. Within the electronic order system, all PBS orders for inpatients were linked to a pop-up window with criteria for peripheral smear review and instructions on the approval policy. Outpatient orders required clinicians to request pathology approval. This implementation reduced total number of PBS orders by 42.5% with no adverse effect on patient management. Empowering pathologists and clinicians with guidelines on PBS review orders is a beneficial educational exercise of resource utilisation. Discussion with physicians regarding clinical indications reduces non-contributory PBS reviews, provides guidance to appropriate testing, and aptly allocates pathologist and laboratory staff time and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang K Lollie
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Robyn Parks
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lissette Bakic
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alyssa Ziman
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sheeja Pullarkat
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Tosato F, Sciacovelli L, Pelloso M, Giraudo C, Piva E, Plebani M. Assessment and monitoring of agreement among professionals for morphological evaluation in compliance with International accreditation standard requirements. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 501:72-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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