To evaluate the utilization of liver function tests in hospitalized patients.

Abstract

Laboratory testing plays an important part in Clinical decisions. 60-70% of the most clinical decisions are based on laboratory tests. The volume of laboratory tests has increased in last few years that results inappropriate utilization for routine tests. The elimination of unnecessary tests will help to utilize time and resources more effectively. Objectives: To study the utilization of Liver functions tests in hospitalized patients of Mayo Hospital in 10 days. Study Design: Observational Study. Setting: Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Mayo Hospital/ King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Period: 1^st to 10 December, 2017. Materials and Methods: All the samples from indoor patients referred to laboratory for LFTs were included. The results and other relevant information were recorded on Performa. The collected data was analyzed by using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20). Results: Out of total 1800 samples referred for LFTs, 1500 (83.4%) were accepted and 300(16.6%) were rejected due to inappropriate sample (hemolysis, quantity not sufficient, empty vial, EDTA vial, labeling error). The results of LFTs of 59% samples were within reference range and 41% were out of range. 23.5% samples were repetitive and 8.6 % reports were not collected by the wards either the patient was discharged from the hospital or repetitive sampling. Conclusion: There is overutilization of Liver function tests. The repetitive ordering and inappropriate samples are main reason of waste in our study.