Laboratory test ordering in inpatient hospitals: a systematic review on the effects and features of clinical decision support systems

Abstract

Background: Studies have revealed inappropriate laboratory testing as a source of waste. This review aimed at evaluating the effects and features of CDSSs on physicians' appropriate laboratory test ordering in inpatient hospitals.Method: Medline through PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane were queried without any time period restriction. The outcomes related to the effect of CDSSs were categorized based on test-related, physician-related, and patient-related. Result: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted based on a quasi-experimental design. The results showed improvement in laboratory test-related outcomes (e.g. proportion and cost of tests) and also physician-related outcomes (e.g. guideline adherence and orders cancellation). Patient-related outcomes (e.g. length of stay and mortality rate) were not well investigated in the included studies. Also, the evidence about applying CDSS as a decision aid for interpreting laboratory results was rare.Conclusion: CDSSs increase appropriate test ordering in hospitals through eliminating redundant test orders and enhancing evidence-based practice. Appropriate testing and cost saving were both affected by the CDSSs. However the evidence is limited about the effects of laboratory test CDSSs on patient-related outcomes.