Reducing Electrolyte Testing in Hospitalized Children by Using Quality Improvement Methods.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Despite studies indicating a high rate of overuse, electrolyte testing remains common in pediatric inpatient care. Frequently repeated electrolyte tests often return normal results and can lead to patient harm and increased cost. We aimed to reduce electrolyte testing within a hospital medicine service by >25% within 6 months.

Methods

We conducted an improvement project in which we targeted 6 hospital medicine teams at a large academic children's hospital system by using the Model for Improvement. Interventions included standardizing communication about the electrolyte testing plan and education about the costs and risks associated with overuse of electrolyte testing. Our primary outcome measure was the number of electrolyte tests per patient day. S

SUBMITTER: Tchou MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7008632 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature