A quasi-experimental study for inappropriate laboratory utilization from a payer perspective in Cyprus

摘要

Objective: Laboratory tests have progressively acquired a dominant role in screening, diagnosis, disease monitoring and outcome assessment. This trend has also adversely led to the inappropriate ordering of laboratory tests, the results of which are highly unlikely to establish or change diagnosis, and, in extent, influence the treatment decision-making of a specific disease. This practice raises the cost of healthcare while it exposes patients to unjustified risk as healthcare professionals may be led to perform unnecessary procedures.