REDUCING UNNECESSARY LDH TESTING
Improving the stewardship of the use of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) testing in the University Health Network (UHN) Emergency Department (ED).
PROJECT SUMMARY
In surveying the ED physician group, it was revealed that nearly no one ordered LDH in the ED, as respondents said they did not find it a useful test. However, there are 75.1 LDH tests performed daily on ED patients. This lead to further investigation and it was discovered that LDH was included in several computerized provider order entry (CPOE) lab panels, which included ‘abdominal pain’, ‘toxicology’ and ‘trauma’. The proposed removal of LDH from these panels was discussed by the entire ED physician group via an online survey and discussion. There was unanimous agreement among this group in favour of removing LDH from these CPOE panels.
PROJECT LEADS
Joseph Choi
Team members: Paul Yip, Sigrid Millare
Term of project: July 2017 – March 2018