14 Nov 2025
Infirmary Health and Labcorp collaborated to reduce unnecessary creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) blood tests through data-driven lab stewardship and order entry optimization. Through this strategic project, Infirmary Health achieved a 92% reduction in low-value cardiac test utilization across its hospitals while optimizing test selection to provide better patient care.
Key takeaways
After implementing Visiun®, Labcorp’s proprietary lab management software, Infirmary Health achieved significant measurable improvements:
- 92% reduction in unnecessary CK-MB test utilization within one year
- Doctors gained confidence in troponin as the sole cardiac assessment option
- Streamlined cardiac diagnostics, reduced costs and improved care quality
- Sustained impact through computer provider order entry optimization and clinical education
Introduction
Infirmary Health, Alabama’s largest nongovernmental, nonprofit healthcare system, serves patients across the Gulf Coast with a mission to deliver high-value, patient-centered care. In 2022, the health system identified an opportunity to reduce overutilization of outdated cardiac testing methods, particularly the continued use of creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) testing in emergency departments (EDs) to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Despite CK-MB’s diminished clinical value due to the superior accuracy of high-sensitivity troponin assays, more than 60,000 CK-MB tests were ordered in a single year across Infirmary Health hospitals. Recognizing the opportunity to modernize cardiac diagnostics, Infirmary Health joined with Labcorp to evaluate test utilization and redesign workflows.
Persistent use of low-value testing despite updated guidelines
Despite clinical advancements, CK-MB remained a default component of many Infirmary Health ED cardiac panels. This legacy practice led to:
- Redundant testing alongside troponin
- Higher test volumes without improved diagnostic clarity
- Increased cost per patient encounter
- Delays in interpreting more accurate biomarkers like troponin
The lab stewardship committee at Infirmary Health decided to align test utilization with current best practices, eliminate diagnostic noise and engage doctors across specialties in meaningful workflow change.
Combining data analytics and CPOE reform to modernize practice
To initiate change, Infirmary Health and Labcorp leveraged Visiun®, Labcorp’s proprietary lab management software, to analyze one full year of cardiac test utilization across the system. Using this baseline, they:
- Mapped test order trends across departments
- Identified that the majority of CK-MB orders originated from default cardiac panels in the ED
- Quantified the financial and operational burden of unnecessary testing
Based on the findings, Infirmary Health removed CK-MB from the default cardiac panel in December 2023, leaving only troponin and creatine kinase. To drive adoption, this change was supported by a cross-functional education campaign including:
- Grand rounds presentations with medical leadership
- Targeted emails explaining test rationale updates
- FAQ sheets on CK-MB vs. troponin usage
Dramatic impact realized in weeks and sustained over 12 months
The change produced immediate, measurable outcomes:
- One year later, monthly test volume dropped to 429 orders, marking a 92% reduction in unnecessary CK-MB tests
- ED and hospitalist teams expressed confidence in troponin-only testing, which now serves as the system’s standard for suspected AMI evaluation
Additionally, removing CK-MB simplified interpretation workflows, reduced patient blood draw volume and helped avoid downstream testing triggered by inconclusive CK-MB elevations.
Lab stewardship as a catalyst for quality and cost improvements
This program shows how a focused, collaborative approach to lab stewardship can yield:
- Higher-value diagnostic workflows
- Reduced waste and improved efficiency
- Clinical alignment on evidence-based practice
Transform your testing strategy today
Labcorp’s contributions to Infirmary Health’s success included:
- Real-time diagnostic data through Visiun
- Co-development of actionable lab stewardship goals
- Clinical education templates and engagement strategies
- Strategic insight on order entry design and test menu alignment
Together, these efforts not only reduced overutilization but advanced Infirmary Health’s mission of delivering exceptional care with measurable impact.
If your organization is seeking a lab stewardship partner to modernize diagnostics, reduce waste and increase operational efficiency, contact Labcorp today.