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An Inquiry Into Laboratory Test Ordering

Edward T. Wong, MD; Thomas L. Lincoln, MD

JAMA. 1983;250(18):2510-2513.

Abstract
Informal test-ordering protocols that do not follow a physiological rationale are common in teaching hospitals and represent part of the folklore of resident practice. Such faulty test-ordering routines increase the cost of care, waste resources, may fail to answer diagnostic questions, or may generate false leads. They prove to be part of a broader set of issues in information management not restricted to medicine. Clinically appropriate algorithms for diagnostic testing can be constructed to replace folkloric protocols. This should represent a major area of professional concern in clinical pathology.

(JAMA 1983;250:2510-2513)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pathology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, and the Section of Laboratories and Pathology (Dr Wong) and Clinical Information Systems (Dr Lincoln), Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Room 2175 GH, 1200 N State St, Los Angeles, CA 90033-1084 (Dr Wong).

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