Georges Ambaraghassi1, Claire Béliveau2, Annie-Claude Labbé2, Christian Lavallée2. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Department of Medical Biology, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: georges.ambaraghassi@umontreal.ca. 2. Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Department of Medical Biology, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In an era of rising healthcare expenditures, it is critical to find ways to decrease cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the number of repeated tests and the associated cost savings in a university-affiliated hospital. METHODS: The following 7 microbiology analysis were assessed for nonrepeat testing: HCV antibody, HBV core antibody, CMV IgG, rubella IgG, Treponema pallidum antibodies, Clostridioides difficile toxin detection, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci PCR. Presence of a prior positive result leads to the cancellation of subsequent orders. RESULTS: Percentages of not repeated test ranged from 0.1% to 21.4%. Rubella IgG had the highest proportion of unnecessary repeat testing. Total cost savings were estimated at $33,627 for 2016. CONCLUSION: Unnecessary repeated microbiologic test can account for a non-negligible part of total volume test. Use of an automated software to detect unnecessary repeated microbiologic test through laboratory information system can generate important savings.
OBJECTIVE: In an era of rising healthcare expenditures, it is critical to find ways to decrease cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the number of repeated tests and the associated cost savings in a university-affiliated hospital. METHODS: The following 7 microbiology analysis were assessed for nonrepeat testing: HCV antibody, HBV core antibody, CMV IgG, rubella IgG, Treponema pallidum antibodies, Clostridioides difficile toxin detection, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci PCR. Presence of a prior positive result leads to the cancellation of subsequent orders. RESULTS: Percentages of not repeated test ranged from 0.1% to 21.4%. Rubella IgG had the highest proportion of unnecessary repeat testing. Total cost savings were estimated at $33,627 for 2016. CONCLUSION: Unnecessary repeated microbiologic test can account for a non-negligible part of total volume test. Use of an automated software to detect unnecessary repeated microbiologic test through laboratory information system can generate important savings.