Demand management of weekend haematology and clinical biochemistry requests.

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand for laboratory testing at weekends is common but little is known about its appropriateness.

METHODS: An audit was conducted in a large district hospital of routine haematology and clinical biochemistry requests ordered over two weekends. Appropriateness was assessed by review of ordered tests compared with clinical records by a qualified chemical pathologist.

RESULTS: Profiles requested on phlebotomy included full blood count (76%), renal profile (91%), C-reactive protein (41%), liver function tests (18%) and another test in 18%. Phlebotomy was likely unnecessary in 47.5% of episodes while 60.8% of requested assays were graded probably unnecessary or unnecessary. At ward level the number of requests averaged 37 (median 32; range 2-76) totalling 446 separate profiles or assays. There was no difference in phlebotomy requests by ward (P = 0.19). Differences were observed in ordered tests (P = 0.005) which were caused by one outlier ward with a low request rate.

CONCLUSIONS: A large number of unnecessary common tests seem to be carried out at weekends as part of the routine care. Implementation of demand management through education and if necessary electronic limitation of requests may be useful to control laboratory workloads.