Value-Based Intervention with Hospital and Pathology Laboratory Informatics: A Case of Analytics and Outreach at the Veterans Affairs

Abstract Background: Laboratory tests are among the most ordered tests and account for a large portion of wasted health-care spending. Meta-analyses suggest that the most promising interventions at improving health-care value and reducing cost are low investment strategies involving simple changes to ordering systems. The veterans affairs (VA) has a 2018–2024 strategic objective to reduce wasted spending through data- and performance-focused decision-making. Methods: VA Palo Alto Healthcare System laboratory utilization data were obtained from multiple sources, including the VA Corporate