A Real-Time Computer Simulation Program for Reducing Outpatients Phlebotomy Wait Time.
BACKGROUND
Our goal was to enhance the productivity of phlebotomists and reduce outpatient wait times. Here, we aimed to develop a computer simulation program in which resources would be shifted from the laboratory to assist with phlebotomy. We evaluated the efficacy of computer simulation approaches for phlebotomy wait time and provide phlebotomy help time.


METHODS
We evaluated the performance of the following three approaches: no helping system (NHS), the conventional assistance system (CAS), and the computer simulated helping system (CSHS). The CSHS predicted the phlebotomy waiting times based on computer simulation approaches, decided the assist times, and sounded an alarm.


RESULTS
The wait time for the NHS was significantly longer than that of the CAS and the CSHS (P < 0.05). We divided the wait time into the three parts: <5 min, 5-10 min, and >10 min. Significant differences between the three systems were detected (P < 0.05). The phlebotomy computer simulation system significantly decreased the help time of the phlebotomists (CAS was 93.3 ± 19.7 min vs. CSHS was 79.5 ± 17.7 min, P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
We designed a computer-based predicted alarm system. This system could effectively decrease help time for phlebotomists and outpatients phlebotomy wait times.
Department of Information & Telecomm, University of Incheon, Incheon, Korea.
Yo Seop
YS
Woo
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Young Dae
YD
Kwon
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Mi-Kyung
MK
Lee
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Medical Device Clinical Trials Center, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Young Joo
YJ
Cha
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Medical Device Clinical Trials Center, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hye Ryoun
HR
Kim
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D010045:Outpatients; D018962:Phlebotomy; D013997:Time Factors
computer; phlebotomy; simulation; wait time