The magnitude of redundant pathology testing in hospital patients: a multicentre retrospective observational study (ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
Dublin Core
Title
The magnitude of redundant pathology testing in hospital patients: a multicentre retrospective observational study (ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
Subject
laboratory services; hospitals; repeat interval; pathology tests; redundant testing
Description
Background: Redundant pathology testing is a significant quality issue in healthcare with the capacity to lead to unnecessary costs, resource
strain, environmental waste, and potential patient harm. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of potentially unnecessary repeat full blood
count (FBC), electrolytes urea creatinine (EUC), and calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) testing within 24h in New South Wales (NSW) hospitals
and to identify associated demographic and clinical factors.
Methods: A multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted across eight public hospitals in two NSW local health districts Australia,
from January 2020 to December 2021. Data from the Laboratory Information System, Emergency Department Data Collection, and Admitted
Patient Data Collection were used. Chi-squared statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with
redundant testing.
Results: Of the total patient cohort, 35% had a repeat FBC, 33% had a repeat CMP, and 35% had a repeat EUC test <24h. Younger patients
(<18years) had higher odds of a repeat test <24h compared to older age groups. Significant variability was observed across hospitals, with
Hospitals C, D, and G exhibiting higher odds of repeat testing. Patients with emergency department encounters had higher odds of repeat tests
compared to inpatient settings. Additionally, higher socioeconomic status was associated with increased repeat testing.
Conclusions: Our study revealed that there is a substantial prevalence of potentially unnecessary repeat pathology testing in NSW hospitals,
with variations across demographic, institutional, and clinical factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to optimize test
ordering practices.
strain, environmental waste, and potential patient harm. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of potentially unnecessary repeat full blood
count (FBC), electrolytes urea creatinine (EUC), and calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) testing within 24h in New South Wales (NSW) hospitals
and to identify associated demographic and clinical factors.
Methods: A multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted across eight public hospitals in two NSW local health districts Australia,
from January 2020 to December 2021. Data from the Laboratory Information System, Emergency Department Data Collection, and Admitted
Patient Data Collection were used. Chi-squared statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with
redundant testing.
Results: Of the total patient cohort, 35% had a repeat FBC, 33% had a repeat CMP, and 35% had a repeat EUC test <24h. Younger patients
(<18years) had higher odds of a repeat test <24h compared to older age groups. Significant variability was observed across hospitals, with
Hospitals C, D, and G exhibiting higher odds of repeat testing. Patients with emergency department encounters had higher odds of repeat tests
compared to inpatient settings. Additionally, higher socioeconomic status was associated with increased repeat testing.
Conclusions: Our study revealed that there is a substantial prevalence of potentially unnecessary repeat pathology testing in NSW hospitals,
with variations across demographic, institutional, and clinical factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to optimize test
ordering practices.
Creator
Altinka Res, Getiye Dejenu Kibret, Andrew Georgiou
Source
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/ijcoms/lyaf008
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Date
21 August 2025
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Altinka Res, Getiye Dejenu Kibret, Andrew Georgiou, “The magnitude of redundant pathology testing in hospital patients: a multicentre retrospective observational study (ORIGINAL ARTICLE),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11301.