From the 2018 HVPAA National Conference
Cori Atlin (University of Toronto), Joseph Choi (University of Toronto)
Background
Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) has the potential to improve efficiency and accuracy. However, this hinges on careful planning. Poorly planned CPOE order sets can lead to undetected errors and waste. In our emergency department (ED), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was included in various blood panels, but had little clinical value.
Objectives
This quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce unnecessary LDH testing in the ED.
Methods
A group of ED physicians reviewed CPOE blood panels and uncoupled LDH in conditions where it was deemed not to provide any clinically useful information. We measured the daily number of LDH tests performed before and after its removal. We tracked the frequency of other serum tests as controls. We also analyzed the number of add-on LDH (i.e. to add LDH to samples already sent to the lab) as a balancing measure, since this can disrupt work flow and delay care.
Results
Through this intervention, we reduced the number of LDH tests performed by 69%, from an average of 75.1 tests per day to 23.2 (p < 0.0005) (Table 1, Figure 1). The baseline controls did not differ after the intervention (e.g. a complete blood count was performed 197.7 and 196.1 times per day pre- and post-intervention, respectively [p = 0.7663]) (Figure 2). There was less than 1 add-on LDH per day on average.
Conclusion
CPOE care templates can be powerful in shaping behaviours and reducing variability. However, close oversight of these panels is necessary to prevent errors and waste.
Implications for the Patient
Including LDH as a default order prompted wasteful, non-evidence-based test ordering practices. After this intervention, physicians were surveyed and they did not even notice its absence in the lab panels. By removing LDH, we were able to eliminate waste, improve testing stewardship, and cut costs with no apparent adverse effects.
