Title : Intervention to improve timeliness in the reporting of laboratory results
Abstract:
This project examines the time it takes from the finalization of laboratory result finalization to provider follow up of laboratory values in a psychiatric hospital. Timely follow-up of laboratory values is a key area of healthcare delivery. Timely laboratory values are very important in a psychiatric hospital because these values are used in multiple areas of healthcare delivery. Laboratory values assist healthcare providers to make informed decisions about treatment, diagnoses, and aid in disease process monitoring. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), timely and accurate reporting of laboratory results can improve effectiveness and efficiency of public health responses to outbreaks and cases of state reportable conditions (CDC, 2023). The CDC also notes that using standardized formats promotes interoperability and improves exchange, integration, and sharing, and retrieval of data. This quality improvement project seeks to improve the current laboratory reporting process on a 24-bed psychiatric unit utilizing a laboratory communication log. Incorporating literature reviews and Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles, this project will show the importance of continuous quality improvement in the general area of laboratory result follow-up.
