NPQR’s Quality Measures Promote Effective Test Utilization

The overuse of medical laboratory tests has long been a problem. The proliferation of diagnostic tests can make it challenging for clinicians to know which tests are most appropriate to order.  Through the National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR)—the first pathology-specific, institution-based registry—ASCP is providing pathologists and laboratory professionals with the ability to leverage LIS data to measure and improve test utilization, and in turn, educate ordering providers on the most appropriate tests for optimal patient care.

The NPQR incorporates quality measures adapted from recommendations developed by ASCP’s Effective Test Utilization Steering Committee as part of the Society’s participation in the Choosing Wisely campaign. As such, they are vetted guidelines designed to help pathologists aid clinicians in appropriate test ordering. The initial four recommendations were selected because they are broadly applicable to most clinical laboratories.

“These are important quality measures. By following them, you will be able to demonstrate individuals who are under- or over-utilizing laboratory tests,” says Gary W. Procop, MD, MS, FASCP, Medical Director and Co-Chair of the Enterprise Laboratory Stewardship Committee at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, and a member of the NPQR Clinical Advisory Group.

The NPQR provides participants with a way to capture and communicate information on test utilization, translate this information into an action plan, and effectively operationalize these recommendations.

“This will enable groups to have conversations around the most appropriate utilization of those tests,” Dr. Procop adds. “The mere fact that you are monitoring the tests helps promote effective test utilization.”

In the current medical environment, the shift from volume-based payment models to value-based is driving the movement to reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care delivery. While many healthcare systems have joined this growing movement, more work needs to be done in this area. “This needs to be recognized in all hospitals as an important area of quality,” Dr. Procop says. “It needs to be regularly visited for its impact on quality. We need better electronic means to undertake interventions. There is a real lack in electronic medical records to do interventions.”

Using the NPQR, a pathologist or laboratory professional can analyze test data to pinpoint which ones are being over- or underutilized. Users can then examine the data to detect patterns, bring those patterns to light, and educate ordering providers on how to use tests effectively to benefit their patients.

To learn more about the benefits of participating in NPQR, visit www.ascp.org/NPQR.