Impact of intervention on various quality indicators (turn around time and six sigma) in hematology laboratory

Abstract

The laboratory Turn Around Time(TAT) can be defined differently according to the test type (stat vs. routine), analyte, and institution. It is commonly defined as the time from when a test is ordered until the result is reported. The total TAT for laboratory assays includes the entire interval from ordering of the test to the clinician’s awareness of the result (i.e., “brain-to-brain”). Six Sigma has been characterized as the latest management fad to repackage old quality management principles, practices, and tools/techniques. Sigma methodology can be applied wherever an outcome of a process is be measured. A poor outcome is counted as an error or defect, which is quantified as Defects Per Million (DPM). Six Sigma is a methodology targeting zero error (3.4 errors per million events). Samples received in the haematology laboratory are processed in 8 part haematologyAutoanalyser. Results are reported as per routine procedure in the lab. Turn Around Time (TAT) for complete blood count parameters are calculated for one month. The standard Turn Around Time for the complete blood counts are 4 hours. Sigma value is calculated for complete blood count parameters for one month using the formula Sigma (σ) = [TEa - bias)/CV]. Six sigma is calculated by Defects Per Million (DPM). Reduce the error rate by guiding the laboratory technician on analytical part of sample processing and value for the same parameters. Repeat the Turn Around Time and Six sigma value after training for one month and compare the error rate.