Inappropriate requests of viral hepatitis serologic tests

Objectives: Inappropriate end excessive requests oflaboratory tests are labor intensive and a vast burden ofcost. Diagnostic algorithms are advised to prevent inappropriateand excessive usage of tests. In this study itwas aimed to determine inappropriate test ordering ratesand cost.Materials and methods: To assess the number of inappropriatetest orders, laboratory records of samples sentfor hepatitis A and B viral serologic tests were evaluatedretrospectively with respect to diagnostic algorithms.Orders including serological marker groups without adequateclinical information whether or not the order wasinappropriate was excluded from the study.Results: According to the diagnostic algorithms 1.452anti-HAV IgM tests, 1.452 anti-HAV total tests, 208 anti-HBs tests, 208 anti-HBc total tests, 1.210 anti-HBc IgMtests, 1.358 HBeAg tests and 1.216 anti-HBe tests areinappropriate requests. Total cost of these tests is calculatedas 56.153 TL.Conclusion: This study shows that a significant amountof hepatitis serologic tests are inappropriate requests.Diagnostic algorithms for hepatitis should be used morecommonly to decrease the amount of inappropriate requestsresult in significant workload and cost. J Clin ExpInvest 2012; 3(2): 181-184