Utilization of laboratory services at the health insurance organization hospitals in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

Review of the medical records of 427 admissions to Gamal Abdel Nasser Hospital and 230 admissions to Karmouz Hospital to investigate the pattern of utilization of laboratory services provided necessary baseline information, in addition to some findings of direct administrative implications. The proportion of patients for whom tests were ordered was 5l.77e at Gamal Hospital and 44.3% at Karmouz Hospital, and the average number of ordered tests per patient was 2.8 and 2.0 respectively, with wide variations being noted among departments within each hospital. Seven tests accounted for two thirds of ordered tests in both hospitals. Abnormal results were recorded for 41.6% of tests performed at Gamal Hospital and 37.0% of those performed at Karmouz Hospital, while repeat tests constituted l6.7% and 8.0% of ordered tests respectively. In both hospitals, reports of one fifth of ordered tests were not found in the patients' medical record. In Gamal Hospital 10.3% of tests were not performed and the re-portsof 6.8% were not attached to the medical record, the respective figures at Karmouz Hospital were 10.3% and 5.7%. Abnormal results of hemoglobin percentage and pus cells in urine were ignored in 25-50% of cases. the proportion of tests performed within one day was 79.6%.at Gamal Hospital and 91.97o at Karmouz Hospital