Real-time process "defect" collection within the anatomic pathology laboratory to facilitate informatics driven workflow optimization.

Our anatomic pathology laboratory workflow optimization project developed a 2-pronged approach to real-time rapid process "defect" collection using a customized Post-it (3M) note for non-computerized workstations and a data collection module within our workflow integration software system, each of which takes less than 5 minutes to complete. We present results from our baseline, pre-implementation data collection event and discuss the applicability for other areas of healthcare.