Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Jun 1995
Continuous improvement, quality control, and cost containment in clinical laboratory testing. Effects of establishing and implementing guidelines for preoperative tests.
To develop guidelines for laboratory tests ordered before admission for elective surgery. ⋯ We have described an approach that involves a sustained educational effort and collaboration of nurses and physicians and have presented specific guidelines for preoperative testing. A major decrease in the number of tests ordered, an increase in their appropriateness, and marked fiscal savings were documented.