Lost between the ER and Laboratory Department

Abstract

This paper aims to establish a more efficient process related to the laboratory tests ordered in the ER room. The project will investigate and identify the barriers leading in delaying the analysis of tests requested in the ER room and submission of results. This project will contribute to patient safety and improving quality in the existing health care system. Using grounded theory and qualitative, in-depth interviews, this paper studied how primary care staff comprising of a human administrator, infection control officer, laboratory supervisor, and ER head nurse, understood and assessed their own performance and quality in everyday practice. Interviews were conducted to highlight the effect of quality of care and patient safety on on-time submission of results. The hospital should seek reengineering process efforts to reduce crowding and ED patient length of stay by reinventing the way they approach their patients. Increasing the efficiency of laboratory testing could potentially improve ED operations and thus have a positive impact on patient care. The objective and highly recommended solution to tackle overcrowding and prolonged LOS in Geitaoui Hospital is to investigate the implementation of a point-of-care testing (POCT) satellite laboratory in the ED for selected tests that may improve ED operations. As testing moves away from the central laboratory and closer to the patient bedside, the scientists in the satellite laboratory have a role to play in ensuring that the quality of results is not diminished. A study performed showed that by implementing a POCT satellite laboratory in the ER, TAT significantly decreased compared with central laboratory testing for selected tests and an overall decreased ED patient LOS and improved clinician satisfaction.