Fecal Occult Blood Tests

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives The purpose of this program was to deimplement the use of fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) for hospitalized patients. Description of the Project/Program We used a multipronged multidisciplinary approach to deimplement the use of FOBT, including physician-nurse collaborations, data-based poster displays, and a review of test utilization and patient cost throughout all facilities. Outcome Despite a downward trend in FOBT orders for hospitalized patients over 3 years, the inappropriate use of FOBT remains a cause of unnecessary delays of diagnostic workups and patient care and excess costs ranging from US $22 000 to $41 000 annually for each hospital. Conclusion Clinical nurse specialists can question the empirical origin and patient outcomes associated with clinical practice and are positioned to assess and champion deimplementation processes.

Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Retention Among Nurse Practitioner Students

“…It may be necessary to provide leadership in the de-implementation of existing practices that are no longer supported by evidence (Upvall & Bourgault, 2018). For example, fecal occult blood testing is not clinically indicated in the inpatient setting, but tradition-based use of this procedure continues in practice (Danesh et al, 2019).…”

De-implementation of Fecal Occult Blood Testing in the Emergency Department and Hospital Units: A Quality Improvement Project

“…Studies have shown that unnecessary subsequent tests and procedures from inappropriate use of gFOBT can cost up to an extra $41,000 annually per hospital. 15 …”