title: Preoperative blood tests in elective general surgery: cost and clinical implications.
abstract: A retrospective observational study was performed in our trust in October 2010 that examined compliance, and the financial and clinical implications of performing inappropriate preoperative blood tests on adult patients prior to elective surgery, against the 2003 NICE guidelines. An unacceptable proportion of inappropriate tests (31.3%) were being performed. None were associated with adverse outcome or changes in management. Based on our results, we estimate that an extrapolated cost of pound 11.2 million is being spent on inappropriate blood tests in NHS England and Wales.
authors.affiliation: Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH. gokulan.phoenix@nhs.net
authors.forename: Gokulan K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Phoenix
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Saroj K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000191:economics*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013222:State Medicine