Procalcitonin: The Laboratory Costs of Misused Tests

Key Points

• To assess the financial implications of misusing procalcitonin tests and the potential savings from protocol adherence.
• Analyzed expenditures on procalcitonin tests in a healthcare setting
• Examined adherence to testing protocols, specifically timing and follow-up
• Calculated potential savings based on adherence to these protocols
• 108,400 € spent on procalcitonin tests
• 33,580 € (30%) could have been saved with better adherence to protocols
• Key savings identified from longer intervals between tests and follow-ups on elevated results

Abstract