Utilization management in the routine hematology laboratory

The modern hematology laboratory is a highly automated operation, performing a variety of tests including blood and fluid cell counts, routine coagulation tests, and in many cases urinalysis. Despite its automated nature, the hematology laboratory also performs labor-intensive testing including microscopic review of blood and urine samples. Effective utilization management in the hematology laboratory involves initiatives to improve appropriate test ordering (reducing routine daily orders, discouraging preoperative orders in healthy patients, banning obsolete tests) and within laboratory strategies to reduce the volume of manual testing (validated instrument flagging rules). There are also new automated morphological technologies that are improving hematology workflow and efficiency. Successful implantation of these initiatives and technologies involves collaboration with clinicians on the test menu, physician education, and the implementation of decision support tools.