Relevance or performance: potential savings associated with verification of prior results before performing microbiology analysis.

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.