Background: The COVID-19 RT-PCR test is a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 virus (8). False negative RT-PCR tests pose a serious challenge as they can lead to diagnosis and treatment delays as well as increased risk of viral transmission in the community (1-10). [...]

Background: Thrombotic disorders, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and ischemic stroke are highly prevalent conditions. In many cases, an underlying inciting risk factor is clearly visible that can explain the thrombotic event. When a clear explanation is not found, diagnoses such as “idiopathic VTE” and “cryptogenic stroke” are made. Except when there is a concern [...]

Background: The ordering of unnecessary daily labs affects the safety of patients through hospital-acquired anemia, patient discomfort, and unnecessary downstream testing. This results in both additional financial and labor costs burdening the health system. As such, establishing effective interventions is warranted with necessary analysis of site-specific lab-ordering culture. We seek to perform this analysis to [...]

Background: Low-value care in the form of overuse of inpatient diagnostic testing is an important driver of high healthcare costs. Financial incentives are known to impact physician behavior and may be a driver of inpatient diagnostic overuse. However, the association between hospital payer mix (which likely impacts the financial incentives for ordering diagnostic tests) and [...]