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.