Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the total testing process using six sigma metrics based on a comparison of pre and during pandemic periods. Material & methodsThe study duration was over 12 months, 6 months before and 6 months after the COVID-19 onset in Pakistan in March 2020 after the recognition of the first case, using quality indicators (QIs). QIs were chosen from a model of QIs recommended by the CAP. Analysis was performed using Six Sigma calculators and QIs were expressed in percentage (%) and Sigma value were computed. Three levels of performance quality i.e. 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile were derived, being best, common and worst performance respectively. Between-group differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney's U test. ResultsThe median defect percentages of these QIs ranged from 0% to 0.27% for the pre-pandemic period and 0% to 0.13% for the during pandemic period. Meanwhile, sigma values of the majority of the QIs were all above 4.0σ during the pre and the pandemic times. For the pre-analytical phase, sigma scores declined for 1 QI, improved for 3 QIs and remained same for 2. In the post analytical phase, no change in sigma metrics was noted for critical values notification. Considerable increase in defect percentage of inappropriate turnaround times was noted. ConclusionThe emergency preparedness proved to be fruitful as depicted by exceptional performance on the sigma metrics for most Qis both prior to and during the pandemic. The pre-analytical and the post analytical phases, being the most error sensitive requires strict vigilance.
Highlights
The Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected almost every nation across the globe, impacting more than 20 million lives alongside services and economic productivity [1]
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the total testing process using six sigma metrics based on a comparison of pre and during pandemic periods
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the pre and post analytical testing process using six sigma metrics based on a comparison of pre and pandemic periods
Summary
The Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected almost every nation across the globe, impacting more than 20 million lives alongside services and economic productivity [1]. Each of the various steps involved total testing process can result in errors and they can have a huge impact on patient prognosis [6]. Total testing process is divided into three crucial steps: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical [7]. Quality indicators are considered as the fundamental tools of maintaining quality in laboratory systems that can be gauged to assess each step of total testing process. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the total testing process using six sigma metrics based on a comparison of pre and during pandemic periods. Sigma values of the majority of the QIs were all above 4.0σ during the pre and the pandemic times. In the post analytical phase, no change in sigma metrics was noted for critical values notification. The pre-analytical and the post analytical phases, being the most error sensitive requires strict vigilance
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