Key result
Routine diagnostic investigations were highly utilized in elective surgical patients, with 94% receiving a full blood count, yet no operations were cancelled or postponed based on the results.
Why the study?
What is the utilization rate and cost of routine preoperative investigations in elective surgical patients, and do they impact surgical scheduling?
Observational (n=91)
No
What is the utilization rate and cost of routine preoperative investigations in elective surgical patients, and do they impact surgical scheduling?
Routine preoperative investigations in elective surgical patients are highly utilized and incur significant costs without altering surgical management.
Questions value of routine preoperative testing in elective surgery without scheduling impact; leaves open need for trials on selective strategies.
An analysis of the utilization of diagnostic services in a group of 91 patients who were admitted to a teaching hospital for routine surgery is presented. The results indicate a very high utilization of services—55% of patients had an ECG, 87% of patients had a chest X-ray examination, 93% of patients had a biochemical profile and 94% of patients had a full blood count performed at least once during their stay in hospital. The total costs (calculated on standard charges) for diagnostic tests were $4317.80 ($47.44 per patient). The majority of the tests were performed preoperatively, and no operation was cancelled, or even postponed, because of the result of investigations.
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Catchlove et al. (1979) conducted an observational in Elective surgery (n=91). Routine diagnostic investigations was evaluated on Utilization of diagnostic services. Routine diagnostic investigations were highly utilized in elective surgical patients, with 94% receiving a full blood count, yet no operations were cancelled or postponed based on the results.
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