Diagnostic stewardship to limit repeat plasma cytomegalovirus viral load testing

BACKGROUND: Frequent serial monitoring of plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load caused unnecessary budgets for laboratory testing without changes in treatment. We aimed to implement diagnostic stewardship to limit CMV viral load testing at appropriate intervals. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed. To avoid unnecessary plasma CMV viral load testing, the inpatient electronic pop-up reminder was launched in 2021. In cases with plasma CMV viral load testing was ordered in intervals of less than five days, telephone interview and feedback were performed. Pre-post intervention data was compared in terms of clinical and monetary outcomes. The rate of plasma CMV viral load testing performed in intervals of less than five days was compared between 2021 and 2019 using the Poisson regression model. RESULTS: After the protocol implementation, there was a significant decrease in the rate of plasma CMV viral load test orders in intervals of less than five days from 17.5% to 8.0% [incidence rate ratio 0.40, p < 0.001]. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of CMV DNAemia and CMV disease (p = 0.407 and 0.602, respectively). As a result, the hospital could save the costs of plasma CMV viral load testing per 1,000 patients performed with intervals of less than five days from 2,646,048.11 to 1,360,062.89 Thai Baht. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic stewardship program is safe and helpful in reducing unnecessary plasma CMV viral load testing and costs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-023-08355-0.