Showing 3 results for Improvement
M Dastmardi, A Ebrahimi, Az Mirdamadi, A Ebrahimi, H Ebrahimi, Sh Ebrahimzadeh Rajaee,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (1-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objective: Proficiency testing schemes as a part of quality system in clinical and research laboratory centers provides the opportunity to evaluate the quality of test results. In this paper, we try to introduce the proficiency testing schemes as a useful method for achieving standardization and homogenization of test results in clinical and research laboratory centers.
Keywords: Proficiency Testing Schemes, Quality Improvement, Laboratory Centers
Manickam Tamil Selvi , Srinivas Ankanagari,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2019)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Implementing quality management system (QMS) in medical laboratories improves quality of procedures and enhances the staff’s skill development. It prevents frequent inaccuracies in both clinical and laboratory procedures caused by lack of regulatory compliance, safety precautions and inadequate facilities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of implementing QMS based on essential standards NABH (MLP) and NABL (ISO 15189:2012) in a medical laboratory on quality of services.
Methods: Important quality indicators such as external quality assurance services (EQAS), rework, turnaround time (TAT) and feedback were monitored for four months, following implementing the QMS standards in a medical laboratory.
Results: We found that implementation of the QMS program improved the tested indicators of quality. Overall percentage of rework reduced significantly.
Conclusion: Implementation of QMS improves overall quality of laboratory procedures. It significantly reduces laboratory errors and progressively improves quality, efficiency, and outcomes, thus enabling delivery of timely and accurate services for patients.
Keywords: ISO 15189, Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement, Accreditation, Clinical Chemistry, India.
Puja Kumari Jha, Rachna Agarwal, Rafat Sultana Ahmed,
Volume 15, Issue 6 (11-2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Turnaround time (TAT) is an important quality indicator for benchmarking laboratory performance. Delay in TAT may affect patient safety; thus, continuous monitoring and analysis of laboratory workflow is mandatory. This study was designed to improve the TAT of two biochemistry laboratories serving in tertiary care teaching hospitals (multispecialty and super-specialty) through the application of quality tools namely quality failure reporting, the Fishbone model, and process mapping.
Methods: First, TAT was defined for routine (four hours) and urgent samples (two hours). Then, TAT failureincidents in 2018-2019 were analyzed using the Fishbone model. The process map of TAT was studied and made more value streamed and lean after removal of waste steps.Corrective action plans were prioritized and implemented for potential causes with more adverse outcomes. Pilot solutions were implemented for six months and TAT failures incidents were reanalyzed.
Results: The quality failure in TAT reporting was reduced by 22% (from 34% to 12%) for urgent samples and by 19% (from 27% to 8%) for routine samples after the implementation of quality tools in multispecialty hospital laboratory. In the super-specialty hospital laboratory, the improvement was more profound and the TAT percentage achieved after the corrective actions was 96.57% and 98% for urgent and routine samples, respectively.
Conclusion: Implementation of quality failure reporting culture along with quality tools led to significant improvement in TAT and higher quality laboratory performance in terms of efficiency, reliability, and increased patient safety.
