Unnecessary Laboratory Test Repetition In Primary Healthcare Organizations
Feyza Erçil Aşcı1, Ibrahim Solak2, Mehmet Ali Eryılmaz3, Mehmet Koc41Department of Family Medicine, Konya Health Application and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Konya, Türkiye2Department of Family Medicine, Konya Beyhekim Health Application and Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Konya, Türkiye
3Department of General Surgery, Konya City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Konya, Türkiye
4Konya Provincial Health Directorate, Konya, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: Laboratory tests are an important tool in reaching the right medical diagnosis and have become an indispensable element for physicians. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of unnecessary laboratory test use in primary healthcare institutions, the effect of this situation on health expenditures, and the increase in laboratory test use.
METHODS: In our study, the data of 25 specific tests studied between 2016 and 2019 in Konya Public Health Laboratory, which serves primary healthcare institutions, were examined. The compliance of these tests with the minimum test repetition interval was retrospectively screened, and the frequency of unnecessary test requests was determined.
RESULTS: A total of 15,425,622 laboratory tests were evaluated in the study. Of these, 11,541,394 (74.8%) were performed on women, and 13,289,770 (86.1%) were conducted on patients under 65 years of age. It was determined that 956,112 (6.2%) of the evaluated tests were unnecessary repetitions. Unnecessary test repetitions were found to be significantly higher in females compared to males (p<0.001) and in those above 65 years of age compared to those under 65 years of age (p<0.001). The 4-year cost of unnecessary laboratory tests was determined to be ₺5,479,093.37. It was also found that the use of laboratory tests increased by 123.6% over the 4-year evaluation period.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The use of laboratory tests in primary care is increasing, and unnecessary repeated tests harm the country's economy. To reduce costs and provide better health care, it is necessary to use laboratory tests wisely and to make effective interventions for this purpose.
Makale Dili: İngilizce
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