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Evolving Patterns of Vascular Lab Testing in the Hospital and Private Lab Settings

Evolving Patterns of Vascular Lab Testing in the Hospital and Private Lab Settings IntroductionWe evaluated laboratory use in a 600–bed community hospital and a private practice lab. The study spanned from 1996 to 2007.MethodThe hospital laboratory used 5 duplex scanners and 2 physiologic plethysmography units and was staffed by 7 technologists. The private laboratory expanded over time, growing from 4 technologists with 4 duplex scanners and 1 physiologic machine to 7 technologists, 7 duplex scanners, and 3 physiologic units in 2007.ResultsA total of 43.5% of tests performed in the hospital were venous tests in 1999 and 55.5% in 2007. Cerebrovascular scans decreased (32.8% to 23.1%). Lower-extremity arterial tests also decreased. Other tests were uncommon (394 tests, or 5.1%). In the private lab cerebrovascular duplex scans decreased from 36.9% to 24.4%. Lower-extremity physiologic studies remained stable. Aortic scans became more common. Lower-extremity venous scans accounted for 14.2% of studies in 1996 and 11.8% in 2007 but with twice the number of tests.ConclusionThe hospital laboratory is predominantly involved in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis and cerebrovascular events. The less-used and uncommon studies such as upper-extremity arterial studies and dialysis access studies remain uncommon but are performed in greater volume in the private lab than the hospital. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal for Vascular Ultrasound SAGE

Evolving Patterns of Vascular Lab Testing in the Hospital and Private Lab Settings

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References (4)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
© 2010 Society for Vascular Ultrasound
ISSN
1544-3167
eISSN
1544-3175
DOI
10.1177/154431671003400102
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

IntroductionWe evaluated laboratory use in a 600–bed community hospital and a private practice lab. The study spanned from 1996 to 2007.MethodThe hospital laboratory used 5 duplex scanners and 2 physiologic plethysmography units and was staffed by 7 technologists. The private laboratory expanded over time, growing from 4 technologists with 4 duplex scanners and 1 physiologic machine to 7 technologists, 7 duplex scanners, and 3 physiologic units in 2007.ResultsA total of 43.5% of tests performed in the hospital were venous tests in 1999 and 55.5% in 2007. Cerebrovascular scans decreased (32.8% to 23.1%). Lower-extremity arterial tests also decreased. Other tests were uncommon (394 tests, or 5.1%). In the private lab cerebrovascular duplex scans decreased from 36.9% to 24.4%. Lower-extremity physiologic studies remained stable. Aortic scans became more common. Lower-extremity venous scans accounted for 14.2% of studies in 1996 and 11.8% in 2007 but with twice the number of tests.ConclusionThe hospital laboratory is predominantly involved in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis and cerebrovascular events. The less-used and uncommon studies such as upper-extremity arterial studies and dialysis access studies remain uncommon but are performed in greater volume in the private lab than the hospital.

Journal

Journal for Vascular UltrasoundSAGE

Published: Mar 1, 2010

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