Reflex and reflective laboratory interventions for adding value to test results; an integral part of laboratory stewardship

Abstract

Post-analytical reflexive (automated) and/or reflective (patient tailored and thought driven) interventions (PARRI), have played a subsidiary role in many diagnostic laboratories, despite mounting evidence of their clinical value. The ever-pervasive demand for greater quality healthcare while curbing costs mandates laboratory stewardship utilizing the most robust testing strategies, including PARRI, to guide patient management. Clinical and medical biochemists are well positioned to guide such additive testing strategies by performing such maneuvers as scrutiny of selected test results, determination of potential adjunctive testing and provision of result interpretation. Significant practice variation exists between laboratories however, including the scope, threshold, and choice of test add-ons and whether the process is reflexive or reflective. Compounding the issue, cost effectiveness of some of these interventions has been sparsely reported. Calls for standardization and scalability have posited artificial intelligence (AI) as the frontier of additive testing. This review article examines each of these aspects and summarizes the evidence supporting PARRI and the related challenges. Theaim isto contribute to national and international momentum towards value-based healthcare.