Retrospective evaluation of a local protocol used to enhance laboratory savings through minimizing the performance of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis

Haji, Saliha M. I., Chipchase, Allison, Fraser, William D. and Gomez, Javier (2019) Retrospective evaluation of a local protocol used to enhance laboratory savings through minimizing the performance of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 56 (2). pp. 298-301. ISSN 0004-5632

[thumbnail of Accepted manuscript]
Preview
PDF (Accepted manuscript) - Accepted Version
Download (554kB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis is an expensive and time-consuming laboratory test. We evaluated the effect of a locally derived screening algorithm for alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme requests on the number of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analyses performed, laboratory cost and patient care. Method: A total of 110 alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis requests from the year 2015 were reviewed and subsequent alkaline phosphatase concentrations were monitored over a two-year period, to determine if the decision of performing/not performing alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis, based on the algorithm, had an impact on patient care and laboratory cost. All alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis requests with two consecutive elevated alkaline phosphatase concentrations (>upper limit of reference interval) were screened and, subject to the gamma glutamyl transferase being within the reference interval, either Bone alkaline phosphatase or 25 hydroxyvitamin D was measured depending on the age of the patient. Results: Compliance with this algorithm led to the normalization of subsequent serum alkaline phosphatase in 97% of patients without requiring alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis. The cost of performing Bone alkaline phosphatase and 25 hydroxyvitamin D in-house was £778.50, while the cost of performing alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis would have been £3040. This resulted in a laboratory saving of £2261.50. Conclusions: Implementation of this algorithm led to a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis, without compromising patient care. Total savings could be increased if 25 hydroxyvitamin D was used as a first-line test, for all patients with an elevated alkaline phosphatase and a normal gamma glutamyl transferase regardless of age. This algorithm is cost-effective and can be implemented in laboratories with 25 hydroxyvitamin D assay.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme,bone-specific alkaline phosphatase,25 hydroxyvitamin d,gamma glutamyl transferase,cost benefit,clinical biochemistry ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1308
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 20 Dec 2018 15:31
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 02:19
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/69404
DOI: 10.1177/0004563218817571

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item