Reminding physicians of the cost of phlebotomy services may reduce costs

A study in the Archives of Surgery explored whether consistently reminding physicians of the cost of phlebotomy services would reduce the overall cost of those services for nonintensive care unit surgical patients. Every week, study authors reminded house staff and attending physicians of the dollar amount associated with laboratory services during the previous week. After 11 weeks, the cost of laboratory services feel from $147.73 per patient per day to $108.11 per patient per day.