Effect of Population-Based Interventions on Laboratory Utilization

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Abstract
THE UTILIZATION OF laboratory services has increased during the last several decades in many health care jurisdictions. It is often assumed that some of this use is inappropriate,1 although the evidence supporting this supposition is weak.2 Interventions to improve laboratory utilization include physician education, laboratory requisition form changes, and policies concerning laboratory test ordering. Studies have concluded that educational interventions have mixed effects on laboratory test use.3-8 Significant decreases in test rates were seen when laboratory requisition forms were modified to contain fewer test choices,9 presented tests in physiologically sensible groups,8,10 or required ordering physicians to justify the need for the test.11 Some studies have shown that policies that prohibit particular tests in particular situations7 or limit the allowable total number of investigations12,13 are effective in decreasing use.