Effect of remedial measures on inadequacies in the completion of laboratory request forms by clinicians

Abstract

Aims:

This study sought to analyze the effect of three remedial measures, namely, hiring more pathologists, increasing the frequency of clinicopathologic conferences, and stepwise increase in the level of rejection criteria, on the adequacy of laboratory request form completion by clinicians. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that may reduce rejection rate of specimens and facilitate histopathology investigations.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study covering a period of 7 years (2004–2010). Data were retrieved from histopathology laboratory request forms submitted to three laboratories in Eastern Nigeria. These data were entered in SPSS statistical software and were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis.

Results:

A total of 8573 completed and submitted forms were analyzed, out of which 74.7% were found to be inadequately completed. The effect of increasing the number of pathologists in the employ on the adequacy of laboratory request form completion was found not to be statistically significant. Similarly, change in the frequency of clinicopathologic conferences was also found not to significantly affect the adequacy of laboratory form completion. However, change in the aggregated level of rejection criteria used by the laboratories was found to significantly affect the clinician’s compliance to laboratory request form completion. For every 1 unit increase (or decrease) in the level of rejection criteria used there was, on the average, a 4.7% increase (or decrease) in the proportion of adequately completed laboratory request forms submitted.

Conclusion:

The findings highlight the need to enforce and implement policies that would possibly enhance compliance with the requirements of laboratory request form completion.

Keywords::

• clinicopathologic conference
• rejection criteria