This study aims at evaluating laboratory test ordering in patients admitted to the emergency department.
In 2007 a KCE report on laboratory test ordering in general practice has been published. In this report, literature reviews were made on appropriate test ordering behaviour and on interventions aimed at changing test ordering behaviour. Analyses of administrative data were presented for the current use of laboratory tests in general practice and a prospective study was performed to compare real-time test ordering with existing clinical practice guidelines. In this report it was shown that test ordering can be improved. Some tests were underused, others were overused.
Several studies indicate that laboratory tests are not always used optimally in hospitals as well (Melanson et al, 2007; Somma et al, 2006; Mountian et al, 2006; Ally et al, 2005; Sandhaus et al, 2002; Scarfone et al, 2000). Inappropriate use of laboratory tests could increase costs, and cause patient discomfort and patient harm (Melanson et al, 2007). A major difficulty for clinicians is the absence of comprehensive guidance on the use of laboratory tests. Guidelines specifically designed on laboratory tests are seldom available. In face, the previous KCE report only identified one. Most topic-specific guidelines do contain some information on the use of laboratory tests, but information is limited and often based on low-level evidence.