Paradigm shift: phlebotomy belongs to nursing.
Defining, analyzing, and changing macro- and micro-processes has become almost a routine part of the TQM efforts of many laboratories as they strive to improve service and reduce costs. Scrutinizing each part of a process can reveal unnecessary steps that, if eliminated, would generate improvements with desired outcomes. This laboratory reviewed the processes associated with phlebotomy, especially for STAT tests, at the same time its administration was planning to establish 11 patient care centers where there previously had been three traditionally operated hospitals. Through process analysis, this laboratory transferred the entire function of in-patient phlebotomy from the laboratory to nursing. The results of an 8-month follow-up study show a significant favorable effect on laboratory turnaround time and related costs but not without some problems.
Alliant Health System Laboratory, Louisville, KY, USA.
J T
JT
Gable
Z P
ZP
Pyevac
D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D001815:Bloodletting / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D007297:Inpatients; D007629:Kentucky; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D010045:Outpatients; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management