Duplicate Testing: Enhancing Transitions in Care Communication in the Infusion Center and Emergency Department Settings

Two objectives of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Choosing Wisely^® initiative include avoiding duplicate testing and choosing care that is free from harm. Oncology nurses in an academic comprehensive cancer center observed a pattern of testing duplication and related dissatisfaction among providers and patients. A quality improvement project was initiated to quantify the problem and reduce duplication by implementing collaborative solutions to improve interdepartmental communication during handoffs. Postimplementation data revealed a 35% decrease of testing duplication in the patient population.

AT A GLANCE

• Communication and collaboration between clinical settings can affect safe handoff in support of patients at risk of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.
• Duplication of laboratory tests can result in adverse outcomes for both patients and healthcare systems.
• Innovation to create electronic solutions with practical applications may affect the quality of sepsis care and operational efficiency.