Departments

Creative Thinking Makes a Faster Lab
  • Opening the lab a half-hour earlier to prevent long lines at the open of business
  • Shifting work schedules and staggering lunch hours to have more staff covering available time
  • Cross-training staff to register patients, process specimens and draw blood

 What can your team do to improve its workflow? 

 

scarrpm Tue, 12/20/2016 - 09:21
Going One on One Improves Satisfaction Scores
  • Identifying the problem of lab wait times and its root causes
  • Employing a "one-on-one" style of service so more staffers help reduce the queue
  • Having lab technicians handle patients from check-in to blood draw

 What can your team do to find out the root cause of a nagging problem?

scarrpm Mon, 12/19/2016 - 17:06
New Needles Bruise Less, Please Patients
  • Identifying the problem was with the needle supplier
  • Filing a Responsible Reporting Form, and working together to arrive at the solution
  • Switching needle suppliers to improve care and safety

 What can your team do to listen to the voice of the patient? 

scarrpm Mon, 12/19/2016 - 16:22
Early Shift Ensures On-Time Labs
  • Having lab assistants, not runners, pick up blood samples at 6 a.m. and drop off specimens every half-hour
  • Using clinical lab scientists from other departments to help process blood in the morning
  • Moving weekend shifts for clinical lab scientists to 6 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

 What can your team do to shift its workflow for the benefit of patients? 

scarrpm Mon, 12/19/2016 - 15:29

Coordinate Orders to Save Lives

  • Educating about the proper use of VTE orders for post-operative patients
  • Coordinating with pharmacists and other teams to ensure orders are followed
  • Outlining how the Joint Commission's SCIP guidelines can help improve compliance

 What can your team do to work with other teams to improve outcomes for patients? 

 

Front-of-the-Line Pass Reduces Unneeded Tests
  • Identifying which tests oncology patients actually need
  • Creating and issuing a "golden ticket" to get patients to the front of the line
  • Fast tracking the processing of labs before seeing the doctor

What can your team do to adjust your workflow in a way that puts the patient at the center?

 

scarrpm Fri, 12/16/2016 - 11:16
Limber Up to Cut Down Injuries
  • Creating a daily stretching routine, and discussing work safety on a regular basis
  • Discussing proper lifting and pushing techniques, and also the proper use of equipment
  • Posting safe-driving and other safety awareness tips, and highlighting the number of injury-free days

What can your team do to reduce injuries and keep one another safe on the job? 

scarrpm Tue, 12/13/2016 - 14:56
Working Together for Timely Test Results
  • Coordinating with other departments, like emergency and transportation
  • Spreading out requests in regular 15-minute intervals
  • Meeting regularly to make adjustments

 What can your team do to work with other departments to improve patients' experiences? 

 

scarrpm Tue, 12/13/2016 - 10:47
Subscribe to Departments