Team effect on variation in laboratory utilization on subspecialty services.
BACKGROUND
The objective was to determine whether variation in laboratory utilization exists and whether physicians were responsible for a portion of this variation.


METHODS
Variation in laboratory test ordering was collected on subspecialty services: the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and the Oncology Service. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to determine the effect of interns, residents, and attendings on the variation observed.


RESULTS
Variation in laboratory utilization attributable to physicians exists. Housestaff explain a proportion of this variation on each subspecialty service.


CONCLUSIONS
Housestaff explain a large proportion of laboratory utilization attributable to physicians. This may represent an opportunity for education on systems-based practice and practice-based learning.
Dine
C Jessica
CJ
jessica.dine@uphs.upenn.edu
Bellini
Lisa M
LM
Iwashyna
Theodore J
TJ
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'