Reminders of drug effects on laboratory test results

Drug effects on laboratory test results are difficult to take into account without an online decision support system. In this study, drug effects on h ormone test results were coded using a drug-laboratory effect (DLE) code. T he criteria that trigger the reminders were defined. To issue reminders, it was necessary to write a computer program linking the DLE knowledge base w ith databases containing individual patient medication and laboratory test results. During the first 10 months, 11% of the results from hormone sample s were accompanied by one or more DLE reminders. The most common drugs to t rigger reminders were glucocorticolds, furosemide, and metoclopramide. Phys icians facing the reminders completed a questionnaire on the usefulness of the reminders. All respondents considered them useful. In addition, DLE rem inders had caused 74% of respondents to refrain from additional, usually pe rformed examinations. In conclusion, drug effects on laboratory tests shoul d always be considered when interpreting laboratory results. An online remi nder system is useful in displaying potential drug effects alongside test r esults. (C) 2000 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.