Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. · Feb 1991
ReviewPreoperative laboratory testing for the oral and maxillofacial surgery patient.
Studies estimate that approximately 60% of preoperative testing could be eliminated without adversely affecting patient care. Unnecessary testing tends to cause extra risk to the patient, inefficient operating room schedules, and unnecessary costs. ⋯ Furthermore, extra testing may also increase medicolegal risk, because the abnormalities that are discovered are usually not noted on the chart. A reliable and effective method for ordering laboratory tests to assess patients preoperatively and reduce morbidity and cost is presented.