摘要
The delay in the delivery of laboratory results can be fatal and can even lead to the death of patients. This study was conducted at the clinical laboratory of the University Hospital of Kinshasa (UHK) from October 2020 to April 2021, aimed to evaluate the laboratory tests’ turnaround time (TAT) and to identify reasons for delay. TAT was quantified using a time and motion analysis approach. The evaluation of TAT consisted of comparing the overall intra-lab TAT with the suggested TAT using student t-test at 95% confidence intervals. Brainstorming was the root cause analysis tool used for identifying reasons for delay. In this study, the laboratory tests’ TATs were significantly higher (p < 0.001) comparing to international guidelines (60 minutes) and customers’ suggested TAT (120 minutes). Only 0.98% of the samples were reported within 60 minutes of patient reception and 1.47% within 120 minutes, i.e. an outlier rate of 98.5%. Root causes of delay related to Machinery, Management, Manpower, Materials, Method and Milieu. Because of many reasons, the laboratory is not meeting the established TAT. Preventive and curative measures must be undertaken to reduce the delay and improve the TAT.
The delay in the delivery of laboratory results can be fatal and can even lead to the death of patients. This study was conducted at the clinical laboratory of the University Hospital of Kinshasa (UHK) from October 2020 to April 2021, aimed to evaluate the laboratory tests’ turnaround time (TAT) and to identify reasons for delay. TAT was quantified using a time and motion analysis approach. The evaluation of TAT consisted of comparing the overall intra-lab TAT with the suggested TAT using student t-test at 95% confidence intervals. Brainstorming was the root cause analysis tool used for identifying reasons for delay. In this study, the laboratory tests’ TATs were significantly higher (p < 0.001) comparing to international guidelines (60 minutes) and customers’ suggested TAT (120 minutes). Only 0.98% of the samples were reported within 60 minutes of patient reception and 1.47% within 120 minutes, i.e. an outlier rate of 98.5%. Root causes of delay related to Machinery, Management, Manpower, Materials, Method and Milieu. Because of many reasons, the laboratory is not meeting the established TAT. Preventive and curative measures must be undertaken to reduce the delay and improve the TAT.
作者
Chabo Byaene Alain
Mabela Makengo Matendo Rostin
Konde Nkiama Numbi Joël
Muhindo Mavoko Hypolite
Kayembe Nzongola-Nkasu Donatien
Tanon Aristophane Koffi
Muwonga Masidi Jérémie
Situakibanza Nani-Tuma Hippolyte
Chabo Byaene Alain;Mabela Makengo Matendo Rostin;Konde Nkiama Numbi Joël;Muhindo Mavoko Hypolite;Kayembe Nzongola-Nkasu Donatien;Tanon Aristophane Koffi;Muwonga Masidi Jérémie;Situakibanza Nani-Tuma Hippolyte(Department of Medical Biology, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);Department of Mathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);Department of Health and Environment, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);Department of Tropical Medicine, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);Department of Dermatology and Infectiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Félix Houphouët Boigny University, Abidjan-Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire;Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC))
