| Sumario: | Background: The conventional understanding and auditing of transfusion product inventories relies on the use of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as wastage rates (%) and inventory size (#). Conventional auditing is difficult when a process is complex or if significant human resources are required. A process-based approach using process mining has been recently adapted for use in transfusion inventory analysis by Quinn et al. (Transfusion, 2017, in press) and Cheng (Transfusion, 2017, in press). We illustrate the use of a process mining methodology within a quality assurance/process improvement context to audit two areas too complex for conventional auditing: Hemosafe fridge usage and red cell wastage root causes. Our study reports the insights and perspectives gained using the process mining methodology. Methods: Process mining was performed on red cell inventory transaction data extracted from the laboratory information system. Subject matter experts from transfusion services (BTS) provided comments on their own processes while real-time process map generation was performed and moderated by a process mining and transfusion subject matter expert. Comments were thematically coded using Atlas Ti and qualitatively analysed. Results: Participants ranged from 4-41 years of experience in BTS in all ranks. Wastage analysis: There were 163 comments with the four most grounded codes (248/344, 72.1%) relating to insight (25/344, 7.3%), process confirmation (34/344, 9.9%), clarification (74/344, 21.5%), and future application (115/344, 33.4%). Hemosafe? analysis: There were 141 separate comments with most comments on process confirmation and insight (54.6%, 143/262), insight (38.2%, 100/262), and confirmation of the process. Process-based comments were 7.8 fold and 4.7 greater vs. value-based comments respectively. Conclusions: We demonstrate the real-world potential of inserting the process mining methodology into an alreadyestablished quality assurance process to increase blood transfusion subject matter awareness of red cell inventory processes in the transfusion laboratory, in the context of guidance by a process mining subject matter expert. This technique allowed for increased process insight and clarification to occur in two areas of the inventory which were explored.
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