Tool Decreases Superfluous Lab Testing, Cuts Health Care Costs
University of Utah HealthPhysicians have long recognized that lab testing isn’t necessary for all hospitalized patients on a daily basis. Regardless, such tests are often conducted because of routine. Published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, University of Utah Health Care developed a tool, Value Driven Outcomes (VDO), to reduce superfluous lab testing. When integrated into a quality improvement initiative lab costs decreased by nearly 10 percent per visit. If applied to all inpatient visits, it was estimated the hospital could save over $1.5 million each year.