A medical lab, in essence, is a place where biological information from a sample or a scan is converted to readable information that both humans and machines can interpret. This is the reason why one must monitor laboratory operations, process information, and get it into the report. The faster, more accurate, and cheaper you do it the better the lab’s performance.
Monitoring Lab Reports Delivery Time, Lab Workflow Management, and Inventory Management are critical aspects of maintaining efficiency and precision in healthcare settings. The Laboratory Workflow Process involves a series of intricate steps, from sample collection to reporting, and each step plays a pivotal role in delivering accurate results. Laboratory Workflow Analysis helps in dissecting these processes to identify areas of improvement, optimize resource utilization, and reduce bottlenecks.
Lab Reports Delivery Time Management
A Lab manager’s work involves Laboratory Workflow Monitoring and the logistical challenge of delivering all the reports on time. The key KPI here is the TAT or Turnaround time. Usually, to manage and Monitor Laboratory Operations, a manager would focus on delivering the current reports on the waiting list. While that is necessary to do so, it’s also important to see the historical data using TAT analytics. A laboratory monitoring system helps in identifying bottlenecks in the laboratory workflow process and places where your workflow in the clinical laboratory can be improved.
Learn how to optimize your Lab’s Turnaround time.
Example: A CrelioHealth lab operation may feel that their reports are taking a lot of time because they do not have enough manpower or machines. But sometimes on analysis, it may be found that maximal time is spent after the reports are filled for report validation & approval. It may be wise to change the post-analytical laboratory workflow process and maybe look into auto-approval of reports to save time.
Laboratory Workflow Management
The other side of the coin is efficiency. Where you want to deliver the reports as quickly as possible, it’s also important to keep visibility into laboratory operations costs low by optimizing the lab workflow management software.
The lab monitoring system may not be able to process all the samples and might need to outsource some samples, but outsourcing samples has its own challenges.
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Keeping track of outsourced samples
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Following up with the outsourced lab for the results
Having bidirectional outsourcing helps as this would automate data transfer. It also helps the outsourced workflow in laboratory as they would not need to re-register patients, making the chances of errors very low. Learn more about outsourcing management here.
For samples that are done/drawn in-house, the key metric to Monitor Laboratory Operations is rerun. It’s important to track re-runs from both compliance and operational perspective. If there is no visibility into laboratory operations, sample re-runs can lead to a very high cost per test overall. The exception report will allow you to track report redos and sample re-draws.
The importance of automation cannot be emphasized more when machine interfacing saves time and effort. This allows staff to scan samples, process samples, and transfer back the results for filling reports. Laboratory Workflow Monitoring System acts as the key not only to saving time but also to improve the accuracy and reliability of results. This saves a lot of time for staff to do more meaningful work. Also, these Laboratory Monitoring Solutions are more productive in improving the quality of the lab’s operational outcomes.
If you have histopathology or cytology departments, the pre-processing of samples is usually an operational challenge. Which sometimes takes more time than the analytical phase. Therefore, Laboratory Workflow Analysis is essential to keep track of the sample statuses and to ensure compliance at various different stages. You can map out all the steps in the sample workflow. Also, you can keep track of the various flows to make it easy for the staff to comply with the process of laboratory workflow management.
Laboratory Inventory Management
As a part of your supply chain, inventory management includes aspects such as controlling and overseeing purchases from suppliers— maintaining the storage of stock, and controlling the amount in use by your lab team (staff and administration).
The first step to Monitor Laboratory Operations through Inventory Management is having an organized approach. Additionally, getting a good lab monitoring system allows visibility into laboratory operations data and analysis of information.
You can leverage systems to get into place – ordering processes and ensuring the recording of information on inventory transfers and moreover on the consumption of inventory. This information would allow you to get a clear picture of the inventory in your organization. The above video can help understand one part of it.
Clear visibility on Inventory information helps you:
- Reduce costs
- Optimize fulfillment
- Maintain smooth operations
- Prevent loss from theft or spoilage
In a broader context, Inventory Management in labs also provides insights into your financial standing and understanding of trends. This can help you determine the costs; so you can price better to your customers.
To improve lab workflow management, you can enroll in CrelioHealth Academy.
Conclusion
To Monitor Laboratory Operations is an essential undertaking in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape. It’s not merely about data collection but also about interpreting this information to make informed decisions and drive efficiency. With the right laboratory monitoring solutions and strategies, laboratories can ensure accurate results, improve patient care, maintain compliance, and optimize their resources. By staying attuned to the intricacies of lab operations, laboratories can adapt, evolve, and thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment.
