--- title: The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 2 description: How to develop a successful test utilization program with a multidisciplinary approach involving the clinician, the laboratory, and clinically engaged pathologists.  image: https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/collaborate%20(1)-2.jpg --- ISO 9001:2015 - [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) - [A Great Place to Work](http://www.cola.org/careers/a-great-place-to-work/) - [Current Openings](http://www.cola.org/careers/current-openings/) - [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) - Member Login - [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) - [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) - visit related COLA sites - [GiveBack365](http://www.GiveBack365.org) - [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.LabTestingMatters.org) - [MyConsultantCentral](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) - 1-800-981-9883 ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=306&height=111&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png)   ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=210&height=76&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png)   ISO 9001:2015 - [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) - [A Great Place to Work](http://www.cola.org/careers/a-great-place-to-work/) - [Current Openings](http://www.cola.org/careers/current-openings/) - [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) - Member Login - [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) - [LabUniversity](https://cola.absorbtraining.com/default.aspx#/login) - [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) - visit related COLA sites - [COLA Resources, Inc.](http://www.criedu.org/) - [GiveBack365](http://www.GiveBack365.org) - [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.LabTestingMatters.org) - [LabUniversity](http://www.labuniversity.org) - [MyConsultantCentral](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) 1-800-981-9883 [![2021_newest_logo_cola-footer (1)](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_newest_logo_cola-footer%20(1).png?width=261&name=2021_newest_logo_cola-footer%20(1).png)](http://www.cola.org/) - [About COLA Inc.](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/) - [Overview](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/) - [History Mission and Values](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/) - [Joint Commission Affiliated Labs](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/joint-commission-affiliated-labs/) - [California](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/cola-accreditation-in-california/) - [Board of Directors](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/board-of-directors/) - [Executive Team](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/executives-of-cola/) - [News Releases](http://www.cola.org/cola-news/) - Additional COLA Sites - [GiveBack 365](http://www.cola.org/giveback-365/) - [Lab Testing Matters](https://www.cola.org/lab-testing-matters/) - [Near Patient Testing Matters](https://www.cola.org/near-patient-testing-matters/) - [MyConsultantCentral](https://www.cola.org/myconsultantcentral/) - [Our ISO Certification](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/iso-certification-quality-control/) - [Apply for COLA](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/clia-application-clia-accreditation/) - Quality Accreditation Services - [Accreditation - Clinical Laboratory](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/what-is-cola/) - [Mobile Laboratory Accreditation for EMS](https://education.cola.org/mobile-laboratory-accreditation) - Laboratory Experts - [Surveyors](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/cola-surveyors/) - [CDC LOCS Updates](https://blog.cola.org/updates) - [Insider Blog](https://blog.cola.org/blog) - Additional Resources - [Patient Safety Program](https://www.cola.org/patient-safety/) - [HIPAA Information](https://www.cola.org/hipaa-information/) - [Lab Tests Online](https://www.cola.org/lab-tests-online/) - [Apply for COLA](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/clia-application-clia-accreditation/) - Training & Development - [Individualized Quality Control Plan](https://education.cola.org/individualized-quality-control-plan-course) - Laboratory Enrichment Forum - [Attendees](https://education.cola.org/2023-laboratory-enrichment-forum) - [Sponsors](https://education.cola.org/en-us/2023-sponsor) - [Laboratory Director Course](https://www.cola.org/laboratory-director-course/) - [Waived Testing Toolkit](https://education.cola.org/colas-waived-testing-toolkit) - [Lab Link](https://www.cola.org/lab-link/) - [COLA Primers/Ebooks](https://www.cola.org/education-resources/cola-primers-ebooks/) - [COLA's Insights](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/laboratory-education/) - [Webinars](http://www.cola.org/webinars/) - [Workforce Action Alliance](https://education.cola.org/2023-workforce-action-alliance) - FDA Services - [Third Party Review](http://www.cola.org/third-party-review/) - [Contact Us](https://education.cola.org/contact-us-page) # The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 2 - [Home](http://www.cola.org/) - The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 2 [December 08, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/12/08) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management) [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations) [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization) [test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/test-utilization) [laboratory test utiliazation](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-test-utiliazation) [Dr. John Daly](https://blog.cola.org/insider/author/dr-john-daly) [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/collaborate%20(1)-2.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-2) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In the first post of this series we stressed how essential a partnership between the clinicians and laboratory leadership has become.  In this post we will focus on the best way for you to develop a successful program utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.  This approach should involve the clinician, the laboratory, and clinically engaged pathologists.  --- ---   Your process for [lab test utilization](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/mayo-medical-lab-test-utilization/) management actually starts when the clinicians begin to consider what tests are needed to evaluate a given patient or group of patients — whether for diagnosis, follow-up of specific disease processes, and or therapeutics. The guidelines should have been developed by the clinicians working together with the laboratory.     After the test order or specimen is received in your laboratory, you play a more active role in the test decision process.  You do this through the use of algorithms, test guidelines, and the mutually agreed upon test formularies.   ##### Your 5 Step Process 1. Create a team of healthcare professionals in the organization to develop and implement test ordering guidelines. Build your diverse team composed of clinicians, pathologists and laboratorians who will establish guidelines used to facilitate test ordering.  These guidelines can be incorporated into appropriate algorithms for disease workup, order sets for follow up of specific chronic processes, etc (1).   2. Provide information on the use of specific analytes.  This may include clinical indications, overall value of the test, test indications - all readily available for the ordering clinician to access.   3. Design ordering system to provide ready access to the guidelines.   This can include data from prevously ordered tests that can contribute to the decision making process.   4. Use test formularies patterned after the pharmaceutical model.  The laboratory test formulary is used to limit access to certain costly tests and often requires authorization from a specialist, subspecialist, or laboratory committee before a particular test can be ordered.   5. Auditing results. This is a critical step in the utilization process. The laboratory generates a tremendous amount of data. When analyzed, this data can reveal how a test is being used, whether the intended outcome of a utilization process is being achieved, and where problems exist. The audit process can also identify which guidelines are not working as planned or need modifications or revisions.     Check back next week to review the expectaions you should have of your reference laboratory in this process.   To read Part 1 and Part 2 of the series click on the links below.  [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 1](https://blog.cola.org/blog/right-tests-through-laboratory-utilization-management-part-1) [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 3 ](https://blog.cola.org/blog/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-3-?hs_preview=vcsMxuaP-5509456592)   Don't miss the latest posts - subscribe to blog notifications.   [![Keep Me Updated](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2664587/424e8568-2611-4e97-933b-ee85e99bc645.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2664587/424e8568-2611-4e97-933b-ee85e99bc645)     RESOURCES: 1 LABS ARE VITAL. In/Appropriate Laboratory Test Utilization. September 16, 2013. http://www.labsarevital.com/topics/labsarevital/labs-arevital/2013/09/16/in-appropriate-laboratory-test-utilization [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization), [test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/test-utilization), [laboratory test utiliazation](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-test-utiliazation) ### Related posts [Will Drones Impact Your Laboratory Testing? ](https://blog.cola.org/insider/will-drones-impact-your-laboratory-testing) January 17, 2018 [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 3 ](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-3-) January 11, 2018 [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/right-tests-through-laboratory-utilization-management-part-1) November 15, 2017 [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 4](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-4) November 08, 2017 [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 3](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-3) November 03, 2017 [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-2) October 25, 2017 About the author ### Dr. John Daly ![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/John%20Daly%20-%20COLA_Headshot37.jpg) John T. Daly, M.D. received his MD degree at Weill Cornell University Medical College, performed his internship and residency in Anatomic and Clinical pathology at Duke University Medical Center and a residency in Forensic Pathology at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill, N.C. He is board certified in anatomic, clinical and forensic pathology. Through the course of his career, Dr. Daly has had extensive experience directing and advising laboratories of all sizes including physician office practices, Federal Health Clinics, surgical centers, Community Hospitals and the integrated academic health system clinical laboratories of Duke Medicine. He retired as Director of Laboratories of Duke Medicine, and continues his affiliation as a member of the emeritus staff. Advertisement - [The Continued Rise in Cost of Healthcare](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-continued-rise-in-cost-of-healthcare) February 06, 2020 - [Declining Reimbursement in the Clinical Laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/declining-reimbursement-in-the-clinical-laboratory) January 30, 2020 - [The A to Z of Testing for Folate Deficiency](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-a-to-z-of-testing-for-folate-deficiency) January 16, 2020 - [The Next Big Thing in Diagnosis of Ebola](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests-0) December 04, 2019 - [FDA Warning: Potential False Negative Cardiac Tests](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests) November 14, 2019 Advertisement ### Posts by Tag - [accurate test results (20)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/accurate-test-results) - [bitcoin (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/bitcoin) - [cancer (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cancer) - [clia (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia) - [clia 1988 regulations (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-1988-regulations) - [clia accreditation (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-accreditation) - [clia guidelines (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-guidelines) - [clia regulations (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-regulations) - [clinical laboratory (57)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clinical-laboratory) - [cms clia (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cms-clia) - [colon (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/colon) - [cost effective lab management (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cost-effective-lab-management) - [health care costs (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/health-care-costs) - [health care trends (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/health-care-trends) - [healthcare finance (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/healthcare-finance) - [lab equipment (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-equipment) - [lab test (5)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-test) - [lab test utilization (7)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-test-utilization) - [lab tests (7)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-tests) - [lab utilization (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-utilization) - [Laboratory Management (9)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-management) - [laboratory medicine (23)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine) - [Laboratory Operations (10)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-operations) - [laboratory test utiliazation (3)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-test-utiliazation) - [News (56)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/news) - [patient outcomes (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/patient-outcomes) - [patient satisfaction (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/patient-satisfaction) - [Personnel Competence (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/personnel-competence) - [reference laboratory (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/reference-laboratory) - [test utilization (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/test-utilization) See all   Search Blog: [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) | [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=175&height=64&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png) 9881 Broken Land Pkwy Suite 200 | Columbia, MD 21046-3016 Phone (800) 981-9883 | Fax (410) 381-8611 | Email [info@cola.org](mailto:info@cola.org) [Privacy Policy](http://www.cola.org/privacy-policy/) | [Terms Of Service](http://www.cola.org/terms-of-service/) | [Interested In Advertising?](https://education.cola.org/cola-adnetwork) - follow us: - - - - Visit: [Near Patient Testing Matters](http://www.nearpatienttestingmatters.org/) [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.labtestingmatters.org/) [My Consultant Central](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) Member Login: [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) site development by [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/COLA-Jun2017/images/NL_bug.png)](http://www.nextlogik.com) © 2004 - 2017 COLA All Rights Reserved ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=169932&fmt=gif)