Evaluation of a Multilevel Laboratory Stewardship Intervention Targeted to Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Services at an Academic Medical Center.

Abstract

Context.—: Unnecessary laboratory tests are ordered because of factors such as preselected orders on order sets, clinician habits, and trainee concerns. Excessive use of laboratory testing increases patient discomfort via unnecessary phlebotomy, contributes to iatrogenic anemia, increases risk of bloodstream infections, and increases the cost of care.

Objective.—: To address these concerns, we implemented a multilevel laboratory stewardship intervention to decrease unnecessary laboratory testing, measured by laboratory tests per day attributed to service, across 2 surgical divisions with high laboratory use.

Design.—: The multilevel intervention included 5 components: stakeholder engagement, provider education, computerized provider order entry modification, performance feedback, and culture change supported by leadership. The primary outcome of the study was laboratory tests ordered per patient-day. Secondary outcomes included the number of blood draws per patient-day, total lab-associated costs, length of stay, discharge to a nursing facility, 30-day readmissions, and deaths. A difference-in-differences analytic approach assessed the outcome measures in the intervention period, with other surgical services as controls.

Results.—: The primary outcome of laboratory tests per patient-day showed a significant decrease across both thoracic and cardiac surgery services, with between 1.5 and 2 fewer tests ordered per patient-day for both services and an estimated 20 000 fewer tests performed during the intervention period. Blood draws per patient-day were also significantly decreased on the thoracic surgery service but not for cardiac surgery.

Conclusions.—: A multilevel laboratory stewardship intervention targeted to 2 surgical services resulted in a significant decrease in laboratory test use without negatively impacting length of stay, readmissions, or mortality.