Screening laboratory and radiology panels for trauma patients have low utility and are not cost effective.
BACKGROUND
Routine laboratory and radiology panels as part of the initial evaluation of the trauma patient are prevalent practices. This is a study of utility and cost effectiveness of this practice.


METHODS
During a 3-month period, trauma panels were analyzed for cost and impact on patient care in our institution.


RESULTS
Four hundred ten consecutive patients had 3,982 studies (cost $417,839) performed of which 1,292 (cost $114,753) were abnormal and only 253 (cost $36,703) were clinically contributory.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine panels are not useful or cost effective. Negative results contribute little to management. Selective and targeted studies should be indicated by the secondary survey, and may result in substantial cost savings ($1,500,000 per year at our institution).
Tasse
James L
JL
Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of General Surgery, Huron Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. jtasse@cchseast.org
Janzen
Mark L
ML
Ahmed
Naveed A
NA
Chung
Raphael S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*