How to prevent unnecessary request prostate-specific antigen testing?

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to show how to limit the unnecessary requests of free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA) test changes with some regulations. Material and Methods: The fPSA requirements when total PSA values below 4 ng/mL or above 10 ng/mL were considered ‘unnecessary test request’. To do this, the relevant physicians were informed and the fPSA test was arranged to have a separate second window on the request panel and physicians were requested only tPSA test requests. An additional fPSA test was conducted by the laboratory staff from patients with a tPSA score of 4-10 ng / mL. Results: It was seen that 1236 fPSA and 1292 tPSA tests (fPSA/tPSA = 95.6%) were performed in our research hospital laboratory between January 17,.2017 and March 09,2017 while 328 fPSA and 1139 tPSA tests were also done between January 17, 2018 and March 09, 2018 (fPSA / tPSA = 28.7%). The ratio of sPSA test request to tPSA test request was found to be reduced by 66.9%. Conclusion: This study limited significant hospital expenditure and labor loss reducing the number of unnecessary fPSA tests with regulations made at the test prompt.