Exploring lab tests over utilization patterns using health analytics methods

Mohamed Khalifa*, Ibrahim Zabani, Parwaiz Khalid

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Healthcare resources are over utilized contributing more to the growing costs of care. Although laboratory testing is essential, yet it can be expensive and excessive. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia studied lab tests utilization patterns using health analytics methods. The objective was to identify patterns of utilizing lab tests and to develop recommendations to control over utilization. Three over utilization patterns were identified; using expensive tests for many patients as routine, unnecessarily repeating lab test and a combined one. Two recommendations were suggested; a user approach, modifying user behavior through orientation about the impact of over utilization on the cost effectiveness of healthcare, and a system approach, implementing system alerts to help physicians check the results and identify the date of the last lab tests done with information about appropriate frequency of ordering such lab test and medically significant intervals at which such test should be repeated.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUnifying the applications and foundations of biomedical and health informatics
EditorsJohn Mantas, Arie Hasman, Parisis Gallos, Aikaterini Kolokathi, Mowafa S. Househ
PublisherIOS Press
Pages190-193
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781614996644
ISBN (Print)9781614996637
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event14th International Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare, ICIMTH 2016 - Athens, Greece
Duration: 1 Jul 20163 Jul 2016

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume226
ISSN (Print)0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)1879-8365

Other

Other14th International Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare, ICIMTH 2016
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period1/07/163/07/16

Keywords

  • Health Analytics
  • Hospitals
  • Lab Tests
  • Over Utilization

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