Team Name: TAT Improvement Team
Problem Statement: The laboratory test turnaround time (TAT) at CCH is causing decreased patient and staff satisfaction and rising costs. The problem is not with the actual time it takes to perform the tests but with other parts of the process, such as specimens sitting in the receiving window for long periods.
Goal Statement: To improve the laboratory test TAT by 30% within six months, to achieve a TAT of no more than 30 minutes for 95% of all tests.
Benchmark Time Standards:
- Current TAT: 45 minutes
- Target TAT: 30 minutes
- Measurement of Success: 95% of all tests with TAT of 30 minutes or less
Team Members:
- Assistant Administrator
- Transport Supervisor
- Floor Secretary
- Day Supervisor
- Day Phlebotomist
- Evening Lab Tech
- Health Information Management representative
Proposed start and end date:
- Start date: March 1st, 2023
- End date: August 31st, 2023
Benefits of the project:
- Increased patient and staff satisfaction
- Reduced costs for the hospital
- Improved efficiency and effectiveness of the laboratory test process
- Better utilization of the EHR system
- The improved overall quality of care for patients.
The TAT Improvement Team will work to identify the root causes of the TAT problem and develop and implement solutions to improve the process. The team will also work to ensure that the answers are sustainable and can be effectively monitored and measured. Additionally, the team will work to train and educate staff on the new processes and procedures, as well as on the effective use of the EHR system.
The team will meet regularly to review progress and make any necessary adjustments to the plan. The team will also involve key stakeholders, such as patients and staff, to gather feedback and ensure that the solutions meet their needs. Overall, the project aims to improve the laboratory test TAT at CCH, resulting in increased patient and staff satisfaction, reduced costs, and improved overall quality of care for patients.
Addressing Slow Lab Test Turnaround Time
In today’s healthcare system, laboratory test turnaround time (TAT) plays a crucial role in patient satisfaction and cost management. The TAT Improvement Team at College Community Hospital (CCH) has identified that the current TAT of 45 minutes is causing decreased patient and staff satisfaction and rising costs. However, the problem is different from the actual time it takes to perform the tests but with other parts of the process, such as specimens sitting in the receiving window for extended periods. Therefore, the goal of the TAT Improvement Team is to improve the laboratory test TAT by 30% within six months to achieve a TAT of, at most, 30 minutes for 95% of all tests.
To achieve this goal, the TAT Improvement Team will work to identify the root causes of the TAT problem and develop and implement solutions to improve the process. The team will also work to ensure that the answers are sustainable and can be effectively monitored and measured. Additionally, the team will work to train and educate staff on the new processes and procedures, as well as on the effective use of the electronic health record (EHR) system.
One of the key strategies that the TAT Improvement Team may use to improve TAT is implementing new technologies, such as online experimental generators. Bridges, Pitiot, MacAskill, and Peirce (2020) study shows that practical online generators are more efficient than lab-based generators. The study, published in PeerJ, found that online experimental generators can significantly reduce the time required to perform experiments and generate results. Furthermore, the study suggests that these online generators can also improve the accuracy of the results.
Another strategy the TAT Improvement Team could use is implementing error detection and correction methods. Dasgupta and Sepulveda (2019, p.34) illustrate that accurate results in the clinical laboratory can be achieved by detecting and correcting errors. It guides how to detect and correct errors in clinical laboratory results to ensure accurate results.
Furthermore, the TAT Improvement Team could improve the effectiveness of the laboratory test process by training and educating staff on the new techniques and procedures and the effective use of the EHR system. According to McPherson and Pincus (2021, p.16), the effective use of laboratory methods in clinical diagnosis and management is crucial for improving the overall quality of care for patients. It provides a comprehensive guide to using laboratory methods in clinical diagnosis and management. The team will ensure that the solutions are sustainable and can be effectively monitored and measured to ensure long-term success.
In conclusion, the TAT Improvement Team at CCH is working towards improving the laboratory test TAT by 30% within six months to achieve a TAT of no more than 30 minutes for 95% of all tests. The team will use strategies such as implementing new technologies, implementing error detection and correction methods, and training and educating staff on the new processes and procedures. By achieving this goal, the team aims to increase patient and staff satisfaction, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of care for patients.
References
Bridges, D., Pitiot, A., MacAskill, M. R., & Peirce, J. W. (2020). The timing mega-study: Comparing a range of experiment generators, both lab-based and online. PeerJ, 8, e9414. Web.
Dasgupta, A., & Sepulveda, J. L. (2019). Accurate results in the clinical laboratory: A Guide to Error Detection and Correction. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.
McPherson, R. A., McPherson, R. A., MD, & Pincus, M. R. (2021). Henry’s clinical diagnosis and management by laboratory methods. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.