Pablo Letelier1, Neftalí Guzmán1, Gustavo Medina1, Luis Calcumil1, Pamela Huencho1, Jonathan Mora1, Francisco Quiñones2, Jorge Jara2, Cristóbal Reyno3, Jorge G Farías4, Belén Lisandra Herrera4, Priscilla Brebi5, Ismael Riquelme6, Martín Andrés San2. 1. Universidad Católica de Temuco, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Procesos Diagnósticos y Evaluación, Precision Health Research Laboratory, Temuco, Chile. 2. Hospital Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena, Clinical Laboratory, Temuco, Chile. 3. Universidad de La Frontera, Scientific and Technological Bio-resource Nucleus, Genomic Unit. 4. Universidad de La Frontera, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemical Engineering, Temuco, Chile. 5. Universidad de La Frontera, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Center for Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Laboratory of Integrative Biology (LIBi), Temuco, Chile. 6. Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Chile.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories can improve workflow and user satisfaction through the efficient delivery of analytical results. The purpose of this study was to optimise delivery times of the test results at a clinical laboratory, using Lean management principles in the pre-analytical phase. METHODS: A prospective study with a quasi-experimental design was implemented. Staff functions were restructured and sample flows were modified. Delivery times of clinical results (glucose and haematocrit; 6648 data) from the Medicine and Adult Emergency services for years 2017 and 2018 were compared. RESULTS: A reduction (p < 0.05) in turnaround times in the delivery of glucose test results at the adult emergency service was observed (84 to 73 min, 13%, pre and post). In addition, there was a non-significant reduction in the turnaround times for glucose (Medicine) and haematocrit in both services. In the analytical and post-analytical phase (not intervened), an increase in turnaround times was observed in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: Other studies have indicated that the application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories improves workflow, increasing effectiveness and efficiency. This study showed an improvement in the delivery time of test results (glucose - Emergency), giving rise to a culture of cooperation and continuous improvement. It would, however, be essential to address the management model integrating the analytical and post-analytical phases. 2021 Pablo Letelier, Neftalí Guzmán, Gustavo Medina, Luis Calcumil, Pamela Huencho, Jonathan Mora, Francisco Quiñones, Jorge Jara, Cristóbal Reyno, Jorge G. Farías, Belén Lisandra Herrera, Priscilla Brebi, Ismael Riquelme, Martín Andrés San, published by CEON/CEES.
BACKGROUND: The application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories can improve workflow and user satisfaction through the efficient delivery of analytical results. The purpose of this study was to optimise delivery times of the test results at a clinical laboratory, using Lean management principles in the pre-analytical phase. METHODS: A prospective study with a quasi-experimental design was implemented. Staff functions were restructured and sample flows were modified. Delivery times of clinical results (glucose and haematocrit; 6648 data) from the Medicine and Adult Emergency services for years 2017 and 2018 were compared. RESULTS: A reduction (p < 0.05) in turnaround times in the delivery of glucose test results at the adult emergency service was observed (84 to 73 min, 13%, pre and post). In addition, there was a non-significant reduction in the turnaround times for glucose (Medicine) and haematocrit in both services. In the analytical and post-analytical phase (not intervened), an increase in turnaround times was observed in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: Other studies have indicated that the application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories improves workflow, increasing effectiveness and efficiency. This study showed an improvement in the delivery time of test results (glucose - Emergency), giving rise to a culture of cooperation and continuous improvement. It would, however, be essential to address the management model integrating the analytical and post-analytical phases. 2021 Pablo Letelier, Neftalí Guzmán, Gustavo Medina, Luis Calcumil, Pamela Huencho, Jonathan Mora, Francisco Quiñones, Jorge Jara, Cristóbal Reyno, Jorge G. Farías, Belén Lisandra Herrera, Priscilla Brebi, Ismael Riquelme, Martín Andrés San, published by CEON/CEES.
Authors: Benjamin A White; Jason M Baron; Anand S Dighe; Carlos A Camargo; David F M Brown Journal: Am J Emerg Med Date: 2015-06-14 Impact factor: 2.469
Authors: Stacy E F Melanson; Ellen M Goonan; Margaret M Lobo; Jonathan M Baum; José D Paredes; Katherine S Santos; Michael L Gustafson; Milenko J Tanasijevic Journal: Am J Clin Pathol Date: 2009-12 Impact factor: 2.493
Authors: L H Morón-Castañeda; A Useche-Bernal; O L Morales-Reyes; I L Mojica-Figueroa; A Palacios-Carlos; C E Ardila-Gómez; M V Parra-Ardila; O Martínez-Nieto; N Sarmiento-Echeverri; C A Rodríguez; C Alvarado-Heine; M A Isaza-Ruget Journal: Rev Calid Asist Date: 2015-11-04