Citation

Williams BT, Dixon RA. Br. Med. J. BMJ 1979; 1(6174): 1313-1315.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

445047

PMCID

PMC1599579

Abstract

Comparable samples of 200 medical emergency admissions in four district general hospitals showed a threefold difference in the mean number of biochemical test values provided per patient, nearly all of which were obtained from blood specimens. Hospitals had consistently high or low mean numbers of values per patient for specific tests and clinical presentations and whether first or repeat tests were considered. Only 30 out of 188 different test types were reported at all four hospitals. Clinicians and chemical pathologists might benefit from regular expert advice on the most discriminating use of test information in cases with various clinical presentations.

Language: en