Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41617933›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Professional role and hierarchy shape adherence to electronic alerts for laboratory test ordering.

Angela Greco, Maria Luisa Garo, Martina Zandonà, Luca Clivio, Luca Gabutti

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Angela GrecoQuality and patient safety service, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, 6600, Switzerland. pierangela.greco@eoc.ch.
Maria Luisa GaroBiostatistic Unit Mathsly Research, Rome, 00128, Italy.
Martina ZandonàFamily Medicine Institute, University of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, 6962, Switzerland.
Luca ClivioClinical Trial Unit, AFRI, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland.
Luca GabuttiFaculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland. luca.gabutti@eoc.ch.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Healthcare systems face increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve care quality. Guideline adherence is essential for optimal patient outcomes, yet compliance remains inconsistent. Nudges - behavioral interventions modifying decision environments - have shown potential to enhance adherence, but their effectiveness varies by professional role and organizational factors. This study examines the impact of nudges on laboratory test prescriptions, assessing their effectiveness based on prescriber demographics, professional role, and hierarchical position. Additionally, it explores alert fatigue and prescriber perceptions of these interventions. A dataset of 929,808 laboratory test prescriptions issued between July 2021 and March 2024 across the Swiss EOC hospitals was analyzed. Prescription details, prescriber demographics, and alert outcomes were examined. Monthly adherence rates to alerts and appropriate prescription rates were assessed overall and by professional role. A cross-sectional survey (12-item Likert scale) evaluated prescriber perceptions. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, time series analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with varimax rotation. Group differences were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's procedure, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Of all prescriptions, 12.4% triggered alerts due to non-compliance with guideline-based Minimal Retesting Interval (MRI) criteria, internal standards collaboratively developed by EOC laboratory specialists and clinicians, aligned with international recommendations on laboratory test appropriateness. Among these, 11.9% of orders were canceled following the alert. Of these, 11.9% were canceled. Alert adherence varied by role, highest among heads of service (19.9%) and lowest among residents (9.6%). Compliance increased with age (p < 0.0001) and experience (p < 0.001) but declined over time (β = -0.08, p = 0.003), suggesting alert fatigue. Perceived usefulness of alerts was higher among nurses than physicians (p < 0.001). Despite greater adherence, senior physicians found alerts less useful. Professional hierarchy influences alert adherence, and sustaining behavioral change remains challenging. While electronic alerts can improve guideline compliance, alert fatigue limits long-term effectiveness. Optimizing alert design through personalization and context-aware triggers may enhance engagement. These findings provide insights for improving nudge-based interventions in clinical practice.

Indexed as

Guideline AdherenceMedical Order Entry SystemsPractice Patterns, Physicians'Cross-Sectional StudiesHumansSwitzerlandChoosing WiselyElectronic health recordsHealthcare professionalsHierarchical influenceNudgesPrescriber compliance

Identifiers

PMID41617933
PMCPMC12913593

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.