A Daily Operational Huddle and a Real-Time Communication Application Improve Efficiency of Laboratory Processes.

Context.--Clinical laboratory processes that require cooperation among geographically distinct sections often face challenges. We describe these challenges as related to the Gram staining of cerebrospinal fluid, a key test in the management of patients with suspected central nervous system infection...

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Publicado en:Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Vol. 146; no. 3; pp. 379 - 386
Autores principales: Jing Cao, Dowlin, Michael, West, Aaron, Mutandiro, Clarah, Mpwo, Marcus, Singh, Ila R.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: College of American Pathologists Mar2022
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Mar2022
      vid: 146
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      pub: College of American Pathologists
      place: Northfield, Illinois
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        10.5858/arpa.2020-0729-OA
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        atl: A Daily Operational Huddle and a Real-Time Communication Application Improve Efficiency of Laboratory Processes.
      aug:
        au:
          Jing Cao
          Dowlin, Michael
          West, Aaron
          Mutandiro, Clarah
          Mpwo, Marcus
          Singh, Ila R.
        affil: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
      sug:
        subj:
          Communication
          Organizational Efficiency
          Quality Improvement
          Turnaround Time
          Workflow
          Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis
          Staining and Labeling
          Clinical Laboratories, Hospital Administration
          Human
          Diagnosis, Laboratory
          Central Nervous System Infections Therapy
          Outcomes (Health Care)
          Child Health Services
          United States
          Clinical Laboratory Information Systems
          Interprofessional Relations
      ab: Context.--Clinical laboratory processes that require cooperation among geographically distinct sections often face challenges. We describe these challenges as related to the Gram staining of cerebrospinal fluid, a key test in the management of patients with suspected central nervous system infections, and our attempts to improve quality outcomes. Objective.--To evaluate multiple tools and strategies for their effectiveness in optimizing the turnaround time of tests sharing a specimen or workflow. Design.--Over the course of 5 years, the turnaround time of cerebrospinal fluid Gram stain was studied at one of the largest children's health systems in the United States. Baseline data showed suboptimal compliance to targeted turnaround times. A conventional approach to process standardization and 2 innovative tools that facilitate horizontal integration were applied to the main campus laboratory as follows: a daily operational huddle and a novel electronic communication application that was interfaced with the laboratory information system. Turnaround time and its variation were assessed. Two other hospital laboratories within the health system that did not undergo these quality interventions served as controls. Results.--Standardization of processes reduced the variability of turnaround time but only minimally shortened it. In contrast, an interteam daily huddle that monitored key quality metrics together with the communication application improved turnaround time significantly and sustainably. Conclusions.--Communication strategies involving a physical or virtual gathering of laboratory representatives encourage horizontal communication and improve turnaround times. These tools are generally applicable and could be used to improve other processes in healthcare, especially those where a workflow is shared between 2 geographically distinct areas of a health system.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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