Using the data provided, a graph was created in Excel to illustrate the lab test turnaround times at College Community Hospital. The results showed that the most significant number of tests exceeding the standard turnaround time was from the Urgent category (57%), followed by Routines (30%) and STATs (13%). The graph clearly showed that the average percentage of STAT tests completed within the hospital standard was significantly lower than the other two priority levels, Urgent and Routine. Thus, it can be concluded that the hospital is not meeting its standards for laboratory test turnaround times, particularly for STAT tests.
It is likely that further investigation is needed to define the root cause of the issue and identify potential solutions. To further investigate the case, it would be helpful to look into the resources and staffing levels dedicated to STAT tests and compare that to Urgent and Routine tests. Additionally, it would be beneficial to review the processes and procedures in place for STAT tests to identify any inefficiencies or delays that may be contributing to the problem. With this information, the hospital can then develop strategies to improve the turnaround time for STAT tests, as well as for all three priority levels, bringing the hospital closer to meeting its standards. Moreover, the team is currently lacking the data necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the issue of lab test turnaround times. To gain more complete knowledge of the problem and potential solutions, it is essential to gather and review additional data points. The following data points should be collected and discussed with the team:
- The total number of tests done per day/week/month and the number of tests exceeding the standards for turnaround time
- The average turnaround time for each priority level (STAT, Urgent, and Routine)
- The resources and staffing levels dedicated to each priority level
- The processes and procedures in place for STAT tests
- The average number of STAT tests done per day/week/month
- The average number of Urgent and Routine tests done per day/week/month
- The percentage of STAT tests that are completed in less than the standard turnaround time
This data can be gathered from the floor secretary logs, patient records, and Electronic Health Records (EHR). Additionally, the team can survey the doctors to gain a better understanding of the turnaround times they expect. To ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of the data and to ensure the team is meeting expectations, it is essential to conduct a thorough review of the collected data. This process can be completed by comparing the collected data to the expectations set by the doctors. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the data is complete and comprehensive, the team should also consider other sources of data, such as patient feedback or patient satisfaction surveys. With this extensive data set in hand, the team can then move forward with confidence, knowing that the data has been thoroughly and accurately collected. With this data, the team can then more accurately identify the root cause of the problem and develop strategies to improve the turnaround times for all priority levels.
When discussing the need for gathering more data, it is crucial to consider the type of data needed and how it will be used. For instance, if the purpose of the data is to inform decision-making, then the data should be factual, reliable, and trustworthy (Baydaş et al., 2022). Furthermore, if the data is being used to make predictions and forecasts, the data should be extensive and current (Alam, 2020). Moreover, the team should evaluate the potential sources of the data and consider whether they are accessible and obtainable.
Additionally, it is of the utmost importance to thoroughly discuss any ethical considerations associated with the collection and utilization of the data. Making sure that the data is collected in a secure and confidential manner while also being verifiable and auditable is a critical element of the process. Furthermore, the team should consider any applicable regulations or laws that may be relevant to the data collection process. Additionally, the team should ensure that any data collected is used in a manner that is complied with all applicable laws, rules, and guidelines. Finally, to ensure the utmost safety, the team should consider any potential risks associated with the data collection process and take steps to mitigate them.
References
Alam, M. K. (2020). A systematic qualitative case study: Questions, data collection, NVivo analysis and saturation. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 16(1), 1–31. Web.
Baydaş, M., Elma, O. E., & Pamučar, D. (2022). Exploring the specific capacity of different multi criteria decision making approaches under uncertainty using data from financial markets. Expert Systems with Applications, 197, 116755. Web.