Reducing unnecessary lab tests in hospitals in British Columbia

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention bundle designed to reduce the overuse of laboratory tests in 16 hospitals across British Columbia. Using a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, the study will implement the intervention sequentially in hospital clusters, assessing its impact on test utilization among hospitalized medical patients. The intervention includes educational tools for healthcare providers, patient engagement materials, and data sharing on test utilization patterns. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by minimizing unnecessary testing and its associated discomfort.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Participants involved in this study include the following groups: patients and healthcare providers (including learners, physicians and allied health staff)

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients: The study will include all adult general medical patients that are admitted to the selected hospital during the study period under general internal medicine or family medicine (hospitalist) provider groups.
* Attending Physicians: All physicians who provide patient care in the general internal medicine or family medicine (hospitalist) provider groups in selected hospitals
* Learners and allied health staff (Medical Students/Resident physicians/Clinical Assistants/ Nurse Practitioners, etc.): All those who help take care of patients and can order labs during the study period in the under general internal medicine or family medicine (hospitalist) provider groups in selected hospitals The date range for both groups will extend from May 2024 until study completion in October 2026.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients: all patients in specialized medical units (e.g., coronary care, dialysis units, bone marrow transplants units etc.), in critical care, pediatric, obstetrical, surgical, and psychiatric units.
* Patients and Health Care Providers (HCPs) who are not in the internal medicine or family medicine groups

Where it's running

• University Hospital of Northern British Columbia
  Prince George, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting
• Mount St. Joseph's Hospital
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting
• Vancouver General Hospital
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting
• St. Paul's Hospital
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Anshula Ambasta — University of British Columbia
• Study coordinator: Anshula Ambasta
• Email: anshula.ambasta@ubc.ca
• Phone: 4036184586

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.