Biomaterial Database

Computers in total quality management. Statistical process control to expedite stats. 1993

J L Rollo, and B A Fauser

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Christian Hospital, St Louis, MO 63119.

We developed a system of computer programs to gather and then display data on turnaround time for stat tests. The data were those generated by the testing process itself so that no additional data entry was necessary. The system provided daily as well as longitudinal data for statistical process control implemented in the laboratory. The median and 90th percentile turnaround times were calculated for high-volume tests (complete blood cell count and Chem6 [six chemical serum component concentrations, ie, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, and urea nitrogen]), and a graphic display was automatically generated. These parameters and visual aids permitted evaluation of stat processing in the laboratory. The impact of management decisions on the stat process could be measured. Intralaboratory processing procedures were modified, and phlebotomy personnel were repositioned. Our various measurements showed which decisions improved stat turnaround time.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007755	Laboratories, Hospital	Hospital facilities equipped to carry out investigative procedures.	Hospital Laboratories,Hospital Laboratory,Laboratory, Hospital
D008923	Missouri	State bounded on the east by Illinois and Kentucky, on the south by Arkansas, on the west by Kansas, and on the north by Iowa.
D011785	Quality Assurance, Health Care	Activities and programs intended to assure or improve the quality of care in either a defined medical setting or a program. The concept includes the assessment or evaluation of the quality of care; identification of problems or shortcomings in the delivery of care; designing activities to overcome these deficiencies; and follow-up monitoring to ensure effectiveness of corrective steps.	Quality Assessment, Health Care,Health Care Quality Assessment,Health Care Quality Assurance,Healthcare Quality Assessment,Healthcare Quality Assurance,Quality Assessment, Healthcare,Quality Assurance, Healthcare,Assessment, Healthcare Quality,Assessments, Healthcare Quality,Assurance, Healthcare Quality,Assurances, Healthcare Quality,Healthcare Quality Assessments,Healthcare Quality Assurances,Quality Assessments, Healthcare,Quality Assurances, Healthcare
D001774	Blood Chemical Analysis	An examination of chemicals in the blood.	Analysis, Blood Chemical,Chemical Analysis, Blood,Analyses, Blood Chemical,Blood Chemical Analyses,Chemical Analyses, Blood
D001800	Blood Specimen Collection	The taking of a blood sample to determine its character as a whole, to identify levels of its component cells, chemicals, gases, or other constituents, to perform pathological examination, etc.	Blood Specimen Collections,Collection, Blood Specimen,Collections, Blood Specimen,Specimen Collection, Blood,Specimen Collections, Blood
D002984	Clinical Laboratory Information Systems	Information systems, usually computer-assisted, designed to store, manipulate, and retrieve information for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling administrative and clinical activities associated with the provision and utilization of clinical laboratory services.	Laboratory Information Systems,Information Systems, Clinical Laboratory,Information System, Laboratory,Information Systems, Laboratory,Laboratory Information System,System, Laboratory Information,Systems, Laboratory Information
D006403	Hematologic Tests	Tests used in the analysis of the hemic system.	Blood Tests,Hematologic Test,Hematological Tests,Test, Hematologic,Tests, Hematologic,Blood Test,Hematological Test,Test, Blood,Test, Hematological,Tests, Blood,Tests, Hematological
D006746	Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over	The number of beds 500 or more which a hospital has been designed and constructed to contain. It may also refer to the number of beds set up and staffed for use.	Hospital Bed Capacity 500 Over
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor