BHRUT – Minimal re-testing intervals

There is significant unwarranted variation in blood test requesting across primary and secondary care. Demand optimisation improves patient experience (fewer venepuncture events, less time/travel for outpatient blood taking); reduces the risk of anaemia associated with repeated blood taking; and reduces the associated harms from the investigation of incidental findings. Minimal re‐testing intervals (MRI) are defined as the minimum time before a test should be repeated, based on the properties of the test and the clinical situation in which it is used. There are national guidelines published by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) which indicate Minimum repeat intervals (MRI) for some sample types. These guidelines can be found on the Royal College of Pathologists website (RCPath.org).

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