Diagnostic Informatics: Its Role in Enhancing Clinical Excellence, Patient Safety and the Value of Care.

Diagnostic informatics encompasses the role of information technology in key areas of the diagnostic testing (pathology and medical imaging) process, including the selection of appropriate tests and interpretation and follow-up of test results. We present three case studies employing diagnostic informatics methodologies to demonstrate their potential use and value in health services research: (1) Data analytics applied to diagnostic data linked with patient outcome data as a means of enhanancing the monitoring of the quality and appropriateness of diagnostic test choices; (2) Business process modelling which can help to highlight healthcare processes in the diagnostic pathway as a means of improving safety and performance, and (3) Consumer involvement in the diagnostic research process to assist in the establishment of person-centred test result management systems. The case studies provide evidence of the role that diagnostic informatics can have in improving the quality and safety of patient care.