Evaluation of a protocol for selective ordering of preoperative tests.
A protocol for selective ordering of 12 preoperative tests, according to clinical status and type of surgery, was prospectively tested for one year in a teaching hospital. 3866 consecutive surgical patients had an average of about 4 tests each. The possible value of tests that were omitted was assessed in the light of events during and after operation. According to predetermined criteria, 0.4% of non-ordered tests would have been potentially useful; but in the opinion of the anaesthetists, only 0.2% would actually have been useful. The protocol therefore had little adverse effect on patient care and was acceptable to clinicians.
Blery
C
C
Charpak
Y
Y
Szatan
M
M
Darne
B
B
Fourgeaux
B
B
Chastang
C
C
Gaudy
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000776:Anesthesiology; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative