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Current Practice and Regional Variability in Recommendations for Patient Preparation for Laboratory Testing in Primary Care.

BACKGROUND
Preparation of the patient for laboratory tests is crucial. Our aim was to investigate the current practice and regional variability of recommendations regarding patient preparation for laboratory testing.


METHODS
A call for data was posted by email. Spanish laboratories were invited to fill out and submit a survey.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight laboratories participated in the study. In 73% of those laboratories, fasting was always recommended regardless of the requested tests. Only one-third of the laboratories systematically recommended a 12-hour fast before the tests. In 71% of the laboratories, water intake was allowed without restrictions during the fasting period. In 57% of the laboratories, computerized order entry offered the possibility to print customized recommendations automatically in the primary care doctor's office according to the requested tests. Seventy-two percent of the laboratories agreed with the proposed recommendation.


CONCLUSIONS
There was high variability in patient preparation for laboratory testing. A significant proportion of centers did not follow international guidelines.