Healthcare

Biography

Jailan Gabr is a knowledgeable and committed person .has  worked at kuwait control cancer center as a medical lab technologist, also quality and safety officer at cytology lab. Her evaluation based on lab quality indicators and statistical data for improving lab performance. She has participated as a speaker in Turkey and Amsterdam. Her experience in quality is 6 years. Participating in hospital committee’s and is one of the lab accreditation team at Kuwait control cancer center.

 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 1.To examine the TAT of the cytology lab at the KCCC before and after implementation of the laboratory information system.

2. To  examine the impact of the system on TAT and gain insight of causes delay in TAT and areas that need improvement

 METHODS: We identified specimens received at our lab over a period of four years:  2015 &2016 before LIS and  2017 & Jan-Aug.2018 after LIS. Referred consultations were excluded. TAT was measured in working days from the time the specimen was accessioned in the lab to the time of sign-out. TAT targets were determined based on specimen priority as follows: 2 days for Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic (FNAC) & Non gynecology cases, 3 days for Gynecology cases. For any specific specimen priority, TAT was considered satisfactory when ≥85% of specimens met the TAT target, per month.

RESULTS: Of 4667 specimens in 2015, 2799 (73%) were FNAC, 1426 (72%) Non Gynecology specimens, 440 (75%) Gynecology specimens. Of 5197 in 2016, 3000 (76%) were FNAC, 1670 (77%) Non Gynecology specimens. 527 (82%) Gynecology specimen., For FNAC prior to LIS, specimen percentages meeting the TAT target of 2 working days fluctuated from 73% to 92%, across the defined 1-year period (2017). After LIS, a significant improvement was noticed with 97% of cases meeting the target across the defined 2-years period (2018). Other specimen priorities also showed improved TATs and less fluctuations across the years as follows: Non Gynecology specimens 75%-77% vs 85%- 93%, Gynecology specimens 75%-82% vs 88%-100% (before and after LIS respectively). Overall, the trends after LIS implementation were more consistent and showed no abrupt dips (less outliers).

CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an LIS has improved TAT & overall performance at our cytology lab enabling flagging & prioritization of urgent cases. Laboratory leaders play a critical role in supporting such large-scale projects and in choosing an LIS that contributes to the overall success of the healthcare organization.