ARUP ATOP: Test Order Analysis

ARUP's Suite of Integrated Services

ATOP is an analytical service ARUP Laboratories has offered its clients since 1998. This service assists health care organizations in improving laboratory test utilization. The analysis identifies potential over-, under-, and misuse of individual laboratory tests. An ATOP report assesses the clinical and economic impact of suboptimal test ordering. Laboratory professionals can share the insights gained from this information with their clinicians to improve patient care, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.

 

Benefits of ATOP

The ATOP service helps clients:

  • Improve patient care with shorter times to diagnosis
    and avoidance of inappropriate lab tests
  • Manage test ordering according to evidence-based guidelines
  • Engage physicians and administrators in clinically appropriate testing
  • Minimize downstream health care costs
  • Prioritize educational laboratory outreach efforts
  • Promote the value of laboratory medicine and
    enhance the role of laboratorians in clinical settings

SAMPLE DISEASE TOPICS

  • Celiac disease
  • Thyroid disease
  • Prostate cancer screening
  • Inherited thrombotic
    disorders
  • Hepatitis C
  • Chlamydia trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
  • Rheumatology HLA associations
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Insulin resistance
  • Human papillomavirus
  • Coronary artery disease risk assessment
 

Sample from an ATOP Report












Of the 585 free PSA assays ordered, 387, or 66.2 percent, were not consistent with the recommended guidelines. If ordering physicians adhered more strictly to the guidelines, a potential savings of $9,288 could be realized, in addition to savings in potential downstream health care costs, such as unnecessary biopsies.

 

Related Information

ARUP Consult®

ATOP reports identify where clients’ providers over-, under-, or misorder laboratory testing. ARUP has developed another tool, ARUP Consult®, The Physician’s Guide to Laboratory Test Ordering and Selection, to help educate physicians. In addition to providing convenient access to laboratory testing guidance and interpretation, this evidence-based tool helps physicians correct the inappropriate ordering behaviors identified in an ATOP report. Content is updated every eight weeks, is available at no cost, and is accessible in both Web and PDA formats. Visit www.arupconsult.com to find out more.