SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Reducing Unnecessary Laboratory Testing: Integrating High-Value Care and Environmental Sustainability

Pdf Summary

This pilot study tested whether combining high-value care education with environmental sustainability messaging could reduce unnecessary lab testing on a general medicine service. The intervention was implemented on one resident team and compared with a control team over six months. It included a short educational video about the harms of unnecessary testing, especially its environmental impact, daily review of basic lab orders, and reminder emails three times per week.<br /><br />The study found that patients cared for by the intervention team had fewer labs ordered and fewer venipunctures than those cared for by the control team. Overall, total labs decreased by 7.4% and total venipunctures decreased by 5%. Several specific lab categories also declined significantly, including magnesium, liver function tests, CBCs, and PT-INR. Patient safety outcomes such as length of stay, inpatient mortality, 30-day mortality, readmission, and ICU transfer did not differ significantly between groups, though the authors note the study may have been underpowered to detect safety differences.<br /><br />Resident feedback suggested that participants did review lab orders more often after the intervention, but not consistently every day. The findings suggest that educating residents about high-value care while also emphasizing the environmental costs of healthcare may be an effective way to reduce low-value testing without harming patient safety.<br /><br />The authors recommend expanding the pilot to additional resident and non-resident general medicine teams, including at their community hospital.

Asset Subtitle

Peter Trinh

Meta Tag

Author List Herrick Fisher, Joshua Lewis, Paul Dellaripa, Peter Trinh

Category Research

Concept Routine Laboratory Tests

Concept Low-Value Care

Concept Unnecessary Testing

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Lab Testing Reduction

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Brigham and Women's Hospital

Presenting Author Peter Trinh

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

high-value care

environmental sustainability

unnecessary lab testing

general medicine

resident education

venipuncture reduction

lab utilization

patient safety

pilot study

healthcare waste

Routine Laboratory Tests

Low-Value Care

Unnecessary Testing

Patient Safety

Lab Testing Reduction