Optimization of Laboratory Ordering Practices for Complete Blood Count with Differential

Jeffrey Z. Shen; Benjamin C. Hill; Sherry R. Polhill; Paula Evans; David P. Galloway; Robert B. Johnson; Vishnu V.B. Reddy; Patrick L. Bosarge; Lisa A. Rice-Jennings; Robin G. Lorenz

doi:10.1093/ajcp/aqy146

Optimization of Laboratory Ordering Practices for Complete Blood Count with Differential

Jeffrey Z. Shen, Benjamin C. Hill, Sherry R. Polhill, Paula Evans, David P. Galloway, Robert B. Johnson, Vishnu V.B. Reddy, Patrick L. Bosarge, Lisa A. Rice-Jennings, Robin G. Lorenz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the utilization of CBC and CBC with differential (CBC w/diff) tests at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, and to determine if a reduction in CBC w/diff tests could be achieved without negatively impacting patient care. Methods: The quantity of testing and distribution of repeated tests before, during, and after an educational intervention were compared. Results: CBC w/diff tests were ordered 10-fold more frequently than CBC tests. The trauma burn intensive care unit ordered the most CBC w/diff tests, with repeat tests done every 4 or 12 hours. The educational intervention reduced the number of CBC w/diff tests ordered and tests repeated every 12 hours. Conclusions: The educational intervention changed the ordering practices of CBC w/diff and CBC tests. This was sustained after the intervention and no negative effects on patient care were noted. Similar interventions may lead to optimization of ordering practices of other laboratory tests.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	306-315
Number of pages	10
Journal	American journal of clinical pathology
Volume	151
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqy146
State	Published - Feb 4 2019
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Complete blood count
Educational intervention
Laboratory test utilization
Quality improvement
University hospital

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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10.1093/ajcp/aqy146

Cite this

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title = "Optimization of Laboratory Ordering Practices for Complete Blood Count with Differential",

abstract = "Objectives: To investigate the utilization of CBC and CBC with differential (CBC w/diff) tests at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, and to determine if a reduction in CBC w/diff tests could be achieved without negatively impacting patient care. Methods: The quantity of testing and distribution of repeated tests before, during, and after an educational intervention were compared. Results: CBC w/diff tests were ordered 10-fold more frequently than CBC tests. The trauma burn intensive care unit ordered the most CBC w/diff tests, with repeat tests done every 4 or 12 hours. The educational intervention reduced the number of CBC w/diff tests ordered and tests repeated every 12 hours. Conclusions: The educational intervention changed the ordering practices of CBC w/diff and CBC tests. This was sustained after the intervention and no negative effects on patient care were noted. Similar interventions may lead to optimization of ordering practices of other laboratory tests.",

keywords = "Complete blood count, Educational intervention, Laboratory test utilization, Quality improvement, University hospital",

author = "Shen, {Jeffrey Z.} and Hill, {Benjamin C.} and Polhill, {Sherry R.} and Paula Evans and Galloway, {David P.} and Johnson, {Robert B.} and Reddy, {Vishnu V.B.} and Bosarge, {Patrick L.} and Rice-Jennings, {Lisa A.} and Lorenz, {Robin G.}",

note = "Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by internal funds from the Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the UAB Hospital Clinical Laboratories; and the National Institutes of Health (grant number TL1 TR001418 to J.Z.S.). This study was initiated as a project for the UAB Healthcare Quality and Safety Academy. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 American Society for Clinical Pathology,. All rights reserved.",

year = "2019",

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doi = "10.1093/ajcp/aqy146",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "151",

pages = "306--315",

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AU - Shen, Jeffrey Z.

AU - Hill, Benjamin C.

AU - Polhill, Sherry R.

AU - Evans, Paula

AU - Galloway, David P.

AU - Johnson, Robert B.

AU - Reddy, Vishnu V.B.

AU - Bosarge, Patrick L.

AU - Rice-Jennings, Lisa A.

AU - Lorenz, Robin G.

N1 - Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by internal funds from the Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the UAB Hospital Clinical Laboratories; and the National Institutes of Health (grant number TL1 TR001418 to J.Z.S.). This study was initiated as a project for the UAB Healthcare Quality and Safety Academy. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 American Society for Clinical Pathology,. All rights reserved.

PY - 2019/2/4

Y1 - 2019/2/4

N2 - Objectives: To investigate the utilization of CBC and CBC with differential (CBC w/diff) tests at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, and to determine if a reduction in CBC w/diff tests could be achieved without negatively impacting patient care. Methods: The quantity of testing and distribution of repeated tests before, during, and after an educational intervention were compared. Results: CBC w/diff tests were ordered 10-fold more frequently than CBC tests. The trauma burn intensive care unit ordered the most CBC w/diff tests, with repeat tests done every 4 or 12 hours. The educational intervention reduced the number of CBC w/diff tests ordered and tests repeated every 12 hours. Conclusions: The educational intervention changed the ordering practices of CBC w/diff and CBC tests. This was sustained after the intervention and no negative effects on patient care were noted. Similar interventions may lead to optimization of ordering practices of other laboratory tests.

AB - Objectives: To investigate the utilization of CBC and CBC with differential (CBC w/diff) tests at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, and to determine if a reduction in CBC w/diff tests could be achieved without negatively impacting patient care. Methods: The quantity of testing and distribution of repeated tests before, during, and after an educational intervention were compared. Results: CBC w/diff tests were ordered 10-fold more frequently than CBC tests. The trauma burn intensive care unit ordered the most CBC w/diff tests, with repeat tests done every 4 or 12 hours. The educational intervention reduced the number of CBC w/diff tests ordered and tests repeated every 12 hours. Conclusions: The educational intervention changed the ordering practices of CBC w/diff and CBC tests. This was sustained after the intervention and no negative effects on patient care were noted. Similar interventions may lead to optimization of ordering practices of other laboratory tests.

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Optimization of Laboratory Ordering Practices for Complete Blood Count with Differential

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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