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Ambasta A, Holroyd-Leduc JM, Pokharel S, Mathura P, Shih AWY, Stelfox HT, Ma I, Harrison M, Manns B, Faris P, Williamson T, Shukalek C, Santana M, Omodon O, McCaughey D, Kassam N, Naugler C. Re-Purposing the Ordering of Routine Laboratory Tests in Hospitalized Medical Patients (RePORT): protocol for a multicenter stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention bundle to reduce laboratory test over-utilization. Implement Sci 2024; 19:45. [PMID: 38956637 PMCID: PMC11221016 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-024-01376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laboratory test overuse in hospitals is a form of healthcare waste that also harms patients. Developing and evaluating interventions to reduce this form of healthcare waste is critical. We detail the protocol for our study which aims to implement and evaluate the impact of an evidence-based, multicomponent intervention bundle on repetitive use of routine laboratory testing in hospitalized medical patients across adult hospitals in the province of British Columbia, Canada. METHODS We have designed a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial to assess the impact of a multicomponent intervention bundle across 16 hospitals in the province of British Columbia in Canada. We will use the Knowledge to Action cycle to guide implementation and the RE-AIM framework to guide evaluation of the intervention bundle. The primary outcome will be the number of routine laboratory tests ordered per patient-day in the intervention versus control periods. Secondary outcome measures will assess implementation fidelity, number of all common laboratory tests used, impact on healthcare costs, and safety outcomes. The study will include patients admitted to adult medical wards (internal medicine or family medicine) and healthcare providers working in these wards within the participating hospitals. After a baseline period of 24 weeks, we will conduct a 16-week pilot at one hospital site. A new cluster (containing approximately 2-3 hospitals) will receive the intervention every 12 weeks. We will evaluate the sustainability of implementation at 24 weeks post implementation of the final cluster. Using intention to treat, we will use generalized linear mixed models for analysis to evaluate the impact of the intervention on outcomes. DISCUSSION The study builds upon a multicomponent intervention bundle that has previously demonstrated effectiveness. The elements of the intervention bundle are easily adaptable to other settings, facilitating future adoption in wider contexts. The study outputs are expected to have a positive impact as they will reduce usage of repetitive laboratory tests and provide empirically supported measures and tools for accomplishing this work. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was prospectively registered on April 8, 2024, via ClinicalTrials.gov Protocols Registration and Results System (NCT06359587). https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS gov/ct2/show/NCT06359587?term=NCT06359587&recrs=ab&draw=2&rank=1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshula Ambasta
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Therapeutics Initiative, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Jayna M Holroyd-Leduc
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Surakshya Pokharel
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Ward of the 21st Century, University of Calgary, GD01, CWPH,Building 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Pamela Mathura
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Andrew Wei-Yeh Shih
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Irene Ma
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Mark Harrison
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Braden Manns
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peter Faris
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Caley Shukalek
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Maria Santana
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Onyebuchi Omodon
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Ward of the 21st Century, University of Calgary, GD01, CWPH,Building 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Deirdre McCaughey
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Narmin Kassam
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Chris Naugler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
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Ambasta A, Omodon O, Herring A, Ferrie L, Pokharel S, Mehta A, Liu L, Hews-Girard J, Tam C, Taylor S, Lonergan K, Faris P, Duncan D, Woodhouse D. Repurposing the Ordering of Routine Laboratory Tests in Hospitalised Medical Patients (RePORT): results of a cluster randomised stepped-wedge quality improvement study. BMJ Qual Saf 2023; 32:517-525. [PMID: 37164639 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-value use of laboratory tests is a global challenge. Our objective was to evaluate an intervention bundle to reduce repetitive use of routine laboratory testing in hospitalised patients. METHODS We used a stepped-wedge design to implement an intervention bundle across eight medical units. Our intervention included educational tools and social comparison reports followed by peer-facilitated report discussion sessions. The study spanned October 2020-June 2021, divided into control, feasibility testing, intervention and a follow-up period. The primary outcomes were the number and costs of routine laboratory tests ordered per patient-day. We used generalised linear mixed models, and analyses were by intention to treat. RESULTS We included a total of 125 854 patient-days. Patient groups were similar in age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index and length of stay during the control, intervention and follow-up periods. From the control to the follow-up period, there was a 14% (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.92) overall reduction in ordering of routine tests with the intervention, along with a 14% (β coefficient=-0.14, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.21) reduction in costs of routine testing. This amounted to a total cost savings of $C1.15 per patient-day. There was also a 15% (IRR=0.85, 95% CI 0.79, 0.92) reduction in ordering of all common tests with the intervention and a 20% (IRR=1.20, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.30) increase in routine test-free patient-days. No worsening was noted in patient safety endpoints with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS A multifaceted intervention bundle using education and facilitated multilevel social comparison was associated with a safe and effective reduction in use of routine daily laboratory testing in hospitals. Further research is needed to understand how system-level interventions may increase this effect and which intervention elements are necessary to sustain results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshula Ambasta
- Medicine, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada
| | - Onyebuchi Omodon
- Ward of the 21st Century, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Leah Ferrie
- Physician Learning Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Ashi Mehta
- Health Quality Council of Alberta, Calgary, Canada
| | | | | | - Cheuk Tam
- Medicine, University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Calgary, Canada
| | - Simon Taylor
- Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Peter Faris
- Measurement and Analysis; Research Excellence Support Team, Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute; Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
| | - Diane Duncan
- Physician Learning Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Moriates C. How can we finally reduce repetitive routine laboratory tests for hospitalised patients? BMJ Qual Saf 2023; 32:498-501. [PMID: 37328268 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Moriates
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Executive Director, Costs of Care, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Yeshoua B, Bowman C, Dullea J, Ditkowsky J, Shyu M, Lam H, Zhao W, Shin JY, Dunn A, Tsega S, S Linker A, Shah M. Interventions to reduce repetitive ordering of low-value inpatient laboratory tests: a systematic review. BMJ Open Qual 2023; 12:bmjoq-2022-002128. [PMID: 36958791 PMCID: PMC10040017 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over-ordering of daily laboratory tests adversely affects patient care through hospital-acquired anaemia, patient discomfort, burden on front-line staff and unnecessary downstream testing. This remains a prevalent issue despite the 2013 Choosing Wisely recommendation to minimise unnecessary daily labs. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify interventions targeting unnecessary laboratory testing. METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central and SCOPUS databases to identify interventions focused on reducing daily complete blood count, complete metabolic panel and basic metabolic panel labs. We defined interventions as 'effective' if a statistically significant reduction was attained and 'highly effective' if a reduction of ≥25% was attained. RESULTS The search yielded 5646 studies with 41 articles that met inclusion criteria. We grouped interventions into one or more categories: audit and feedback, cost display, education, electronic medical record (EMR) change, and policy change. Most interventions lasted less than a year and used a multipronged approach. All five strategies were effective in most studies with EMR change being the most commonly used independent strategy. EMR change and policy change were the strategies most frequently reported as effective. EMR change was the strategy most frequently reported as highly effective. CONCLUSION Our analysis identified five categories of interventions targeting daily laboratory testing. All categories were effective in most studies, with EMR change being most frequently highly effective. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021254076.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Yeshoua
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chip Bowman
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Dullea
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jared Ditkowsky
- Emergency Medicine, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
| | - Margaret Shyu
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hansen Lam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Lillian and Henry M Stratton-Hans Popper, New York, New York, USA
| | - William Zhao
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joo Yeon Shin
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Dunn
- Hospital Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Surafel Tsega
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anne S Linker
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Manan Shah
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Bodley T, Levi O, Chan M, Friedrich JO, Hicks LK. Reducing unnecessary diagnostic phlebotomy in intensive care: a prospective quality improvement intervention. BMJ Qual Saf 2023:bmjqs-2022-015358. [PMID: 36657786 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critically ill patients receive frequent routine and recurring blood tests, some of which are unnecessary. AIM To reduce unnecessary routine phlebotomy in a 30-bed tertiary medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in Toronto, Ontario. METHODS This prospective quality improvement study included a 7-month preintervention baseline, 5-month intervention and 11-month postintervention period. Change strategies included education, ICU rounds checklists, electronic order set modifications, an electronic test add-on tool and audit and feedback. The primary outcome was mean volume of blood collected per patient-day. Secondary outcomes included the number blood tubes used and red cell transfusions. Balancing measures included the timing and types of blood tests, ICU length of stay and mortality. Outcomes were evaluated using process control charts and segmented regression. RESULTS Patient demographics did not differ between time periods; total number of patients: 2096, median age: 61 years, 60% male. Mean phlebotomy volume±SD decreased from 41.1±4.0 to 34.1±4.7 mL/patient-day. Special cause variation was met at 13 weeks. Segmental regression demonstrated an immediate postintervention decrease of 6.6 mL/patient-day (95% CI 1.8 to 11.4 p=0.009), which was sustained. Blood tube consumption decreased by 1.4 tubes/patient-day (95% CI 0.4 to 2.4, p=0.005) amounting to 13 276 tubes (95% CI 4602 to 22 127 tubes) saved over 11 months. Red blood cell transfusions decreased from 10.5±5.2 to 8.3±4.4 transfusions/100 patient-days (incident rate ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.88, p=0.01). There was no impact on length of stay (2 days, IQR 1-5) and mortality (18.1%±2.0%). CONCLUSION Iterative improvement interventions targeting clinician test ordering behaviour can reduce ICU phlebotomy and may impact red cell transfusions. Frequent stakeholder consultation, incorporating stewardship into daily workflow, and audit and feedback are effective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bodley
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga Levi
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Surgical Intensive Care, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maverick Chan
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jan O Friedrich
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Critical Care and Medicine Departments, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa K Hicks
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Unity Health Toronto-St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ambasta A. Ten Years Since the Choosing Wisely Campaign: Are We Ordering Laboratory Tests More Wisely in Our Hospitalized Patients? Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2022; 48:500-502. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Kherad O, Bottequin E, Steiner D, Alibert A, Eurin R, Bothorel H. Implementing a Multifaceted Intervention among Internal Medicine Residents with Audit and Educative Data Feedback Significantly Reduces Low-Value Care in Hospitalized Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092435. [PMID: 35566562 PMCID: PMC9104072 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The dissemination of recommendations on low-value care alone may not lead to physicians’ behavioral changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a multifaceted behavioral intervention among internal medicine residents could reduce low-value care in hospitalized patients. Methods: A pre–post quality improvement intervention was conducted at the Internal Medicine Division of La Tour hospital (Geneva, Switzerland) from May 2020 to October 2021. The intervention period (3 months) consisted of a multifaceted informational intervention with audits and educative feedback about low-value care. The pre- and post-intervention periods including the same six calendar months were compared in terms of number of blood samples per patient day, prescription rates of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), as well as safety indicators including potentially avoidable readmissions, premature deaths and complications. results: A total of 3400 patients were included in this study; 1095 (32.2%) and 1155 (34.0%) were, respectively, hospitalized during the pre- and post-intervention periods. Patient characteristics were comparable between the two periods. Only the number of blood tests per patient day and the BZD prescription rate at discharge were significantly reduced in the post-intervention phase (pre: 0.54 ± 0.43 vs. post: 0.49 ± 0.60, p ≤ 0.001; pre: 4.2% vs. post: 1.7%, p = 0.003, respectively). PPI prescription rates remained comparable. Safety indicators analyses revealed no significant differences between the two periods of interest. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a modest but statistically significant effect of a multifaceted educative intervention in reducing the number of blood tests and the BZD prescription rate at discharge in hospitalized patients. Limiting low-value services is very challenging and additional long-term interventions are necessary for wider implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Kherad
- Internal Medicine Division, Hôpital de la Tour and University of Geneva, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland
- Business Intelligence Unit, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-227196099
| | - Ezra Bottequin
- Business Intelligence Unit, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Dorsaf Steiner
- Quality Department, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland; (D.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Axelle Alibert
- Quality Department, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland; (D.S.); (A.A.)
- General Management Department, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Rodolphe Eurin
- General Management Department, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Hugo Bothorel
- Research Department, Hôpital de la Tour, 1217 Geneva, Switzerland;
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Choosing quality problems wisely: identifying improvements worth developing and sustaining. BMJ Qual Saf 2020; 29:1-2. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-011054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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