I found myself on the second day of an orthopaedic term confused about which investigations were required for particular post-operative patients. The challenge came with a man day one post-ACL reconstruction. I had noted that some consultants requested a full blood count after this operation to ensure there was no significant bleeding. This patient was otherwise fit and healthy, with an uncomplicated operation BUT had a significant needle-phobia. He was outraged that he had to have a blood test and made this very vocal to the team (threatening to stab us with a needle himself). My seniors informed me that this was not the type of post-operative ACL patient who needed a blood test. I had blindly followed a precedent that did not apply to this patient. Perhaps if I had thought this through a little more…
With the increasing number and accessibility of laboratory, imaging and other investigations, we have seen a steady increase in the number of inappropriate investigations being ordered. In fact, in Australia the number of Medicare-funded pathology tests increased by 54% (or 33.6 million tests) from 2000/01 to 2007/08. [1] Whilst these tests may improve diagnostic accuracy, the evidence suggests that up to 50% of tests are being ordered inappropriately! [2] Reasons contributing to inappropriate test ordering, besides “My consultant requested this,” include [1,4,5]:
In one study by Mijakis et al, [6] it was suggested that the overuse of tests was independently associated with patient age ≥65, hospitalisation beyond one week and increased case difficulty (e.g. diagnostic difficulty). It was also found that junior doctors ordered a higher proportion of avoidable tests. That’s us!
So, what are the harms of inappropriate test ordering [1,3]?
There is evidence to suggest that inappropriate ordering of investigations may be avoided by educating the provider about the cost of the test. [7] Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with some of the most frequently ordered investigations.
Common investigations | Average cost per test (AUD)* |
Full blood count (FBT) | $13.71 |
Electrolytes, urea and creatinine (EUC) | $12.61 |
Blood cultures | $28.56 |
Blood gas | $15.13 |
Blood group | $24.29 |
Calcium/phosphate/magnesium/albumin | $12.00 |
Chem20 (a panel consisting of EUC + LFT) | $15.13 |
Coagulation panel | $18.96 |
C-reactive protein (CRP) | $12.61 |
D-Dimer | $35.65 |
Iron studies | $16.03 |
Liver function test (LFT) | $12.61 |
Sputum MC&S | $35.38 |
Thyroid function tests (TFT) | $26.81 |
Troponin I/T | $13.71/$35.00 |
Urine MC&S | $22.69 |
*Costs are based on Pathology Queensland public price list, effective July 2017
Here are our 10 commandments to avoid inappropriate testing:
This is hammered into us in medical school and for good reason. With a thorough work-up we can truly justify which investigations are warranted with evidence.
This can be combated through a patient-centred approach to testing. If a patient asks you why a particular test is being ordered, can you provide an adequate explanation on the rationale of each individual test? Are these tests worth an extra jab?
This can be easier said than done when you’re a junior doctor at the bottom of the pecking order. Be tactful in asking your consultants or registrars the specific reason for ordering a test or reminding them if the same test has been completed recently. They may have forgotten.
Have a general appreciation of the usefulness (sensitivity, specificity, false positive, false negative, etc.) of your test in the setting you wish to order it (to diagnose, to rule out a diagnosis, to monitor, to prognosticate, etc.) Also know what the test may be impacted by such as infection, inflammation, renal failure, etc. Guidelines can be helpful. They provide algorithms for the work-up of particular clinical presentations, coupled with scoring tools to support your thinking with what investigations are required.
There are certain investigations for which daily ordering is imperative e.g. daily EUC testing in a patient with acute renal failure. However, frequently we will order “daily FBC and chem20 (EUC and LFT)” in all generally unwell patients, almost as a reflex. Daily ordering of CRP is particularly common on the surgical ward. Think about how a daily test may change your management before ordering the test as a reflex.
A classic example of this is writing chem20 (EUC and LFT) versus the individual ordering of these tests. Often a patient will not require all components of a test so specify what you want where possible. You could even write a specific electrolyte like potassium if this is your primary cause for investigation.
This is pertinent with imaging. Often a patient will present to the ED having already been worked up with a CT or MRI. Save time and resources by having their scans sent to your department. This can take longer than expected so get the process started early. In frequent flyers to the ED, check your imaging system to view when their last scan was. Often the findings will be unchanged with a repeat scan.
Notorious incidental findings you may discover are deranged LFTs, deranged TFTs, ovarian cysts and adrenal masses. If it does not relate to the presenting problem and the patient is asymptomatic, often it can be followed up as an outpatient. Whilst this may not change the NUMBER of tests being ordered, it does change the SETTING in which they are ordered, reserving hospital resources for patients who need it most. All non-urgent follow-up tests should be included in the patient’s discharge summary.
I had a psychiatric patient with a family history of prostate cancer request a PSA test. Firstly, the PSA is not recommended as a stand-alone screening test for prostate cancer. Secondly, I explained that this was inappropriate to complete as I would not be able to follow this up when the patient left hospital. This goes for a lot of tests. Think about whether it will change your acute management in the hospital.
One of the most frustrating moments is sending off blood and forgetting to include a particular test on the request. If you’ve collected the right tubes, you can always call the pathology lab and ask them to add this on. This trick can last for quite a few days!
The ordering of inappropriate testing is on the rise with consequences to both the patient and health system. However, this can be combated with the practice of evidence-based medicine, an awareness of how much these tests cost and most importantly, an added moment to think about why you are ordering a particular test.
Alvar Dalton
May 19, 2021 at 6:53 amGreat wisdom in these words. Requires some dedication to spending that extra time gathering information from your patient. Then adding further time to truly consider all of that information in full. Making connections between potential diagnoses and the list of subjective and objective. The more junior, the more time this takes, the more senior, the more patience required to slow down to contemplation speed. The trick is knowing where you currently sit in your own headspace at that point in time and being willing and able to adjust your own mindset to suit. Thank you for this very well considered information.