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Pathology tests: is the time for demand management ripe at last?

¹ Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Lewisham, London SE13 6LH, UK
² Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital Lewisham
³ Department of Haematology, University Hospital Lewisham

Correspondence to:
Dr G Gopal Rao, Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Lewisham, London SE13 6LH, UK;
gopal.rao{at}uhl.nhs.uk
ABSTRACT
With the ever increasing demands for pathology testing within the National Health Service there is a need to manage the demand for these tests. This review discusses strategies for the demand management of requests made by clinicians in the disciplines of biochemistry, haematology, and microbiology. The various approaches that have been used to manage demand will be described, along with specific clinical strategies for demand management.

Keywords: demand management; pathology

Abbreviations: APTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; A&E, accident and emergency; BCSH, British Committee for Standards in Haematology; CSU, catheter specimen of urine; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; FBC, full blood count; HSVE, herpes simplex virus encephalitis; NHS, National Health Service; NPT, near patient test; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; VTE, venous thromboembolism

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