Printed from acutecaretesting.org
Articles and journal scans about Process optimization
Article
July 2012
Blood Lactate: A Useful Analysis in Emergency Care
Reprinted and translated by permission of Läkartidningen from “Serumlaktat - användbar analys inom akutsjukvården”, by Bengt R Widgren and Monique Ekhardt, 2011; vol 108: 475-477. Copyright 2011 by Author, Läkartidningen and AB Typoform, Sweden.Translated by Radiometer Medical ApS.
In emergency care triage, diagnosis...
Point-of-care testing
Glucose
Process optimization
CRP
Lactate
Hemoglobins
Journal Scan
April 2012
Repeat testing – is it necessary?
Clinical laboratories usually have a policy for repeat testing when the test result is either grossly abnormal or unexpected in terms of recent validated test results for that particular patient. The rationale for this policy is that the first test result may represent a clinically significant analytical error, which...
Process optimization
Quality assurance
Journal Scan
April 2012
Increased laboratory testing of trauma patients
A significant increase in the use of blood tests for the management of trauma patients has had little overall effect in terms of survival following trauma, or the length of time those who survive have to spend in hospital.
This is a headline finding from a recently published study examining the clinical impact of...
Process optimization
Quality assurance
Preanalytical phase
Article
January 2012
Why Point of Care lactate?
Sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity for hospitalized patients around the world. Early intervention can reduce mortality and morbidity from severe sepsis, but signs and symptoms of sepsis are non-specific. Point-of-care lactate has proved to be an invaluable tool for some institutions in standardized...
Glucose
Infection/sepsis
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Lactate
Article
January 2012
POCT in the ED - relevant clinical and economical advantages
In the ED, 25 % of patients with angina pectoris with suspected AMI are wrongly diagnosed (no cardiac involvement). As a result, the patient risks are increased and resources are wasted.
We investigated the effect of point-of-care testing (POCT) on ED processes, resource needs, patient risks and overall costs.
POCT...
Cardiac markers
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Lactate
Creatinine/urea
D-dimer
Troponins
Natriuretic peptide
Journal Scan
October 2011
Pneumatic tube transport of samples for blood gas analysis
Many hospitals have a pneumatic tube system (PTS) that is routinely used to transport blood samples rapidly to the central laboratory, but the notion that such systems can be used to transport samples destined for blood gas analysis is challenged by the results of a recent study.
This prospective study, focusing on...
Blood gases/acid-base
Process optimization
Preanalytical phase
Article
October 2011
POC testing in the emergency department: Strategies to improve clinical and operational outcomes
Emergency departments (ED) are challenged by increasing patient visits, overcrowding and prolonged length of stay (LOS). The cause of these problems is multifactorial.
Delays in the laboratory are often perceived as contributing to delays in care and increased LOS. Implementation of selected point-of-care tests in...
D-dimer
Creatinine/urea
Natriuretic peptide
Troponins
Cardiac markers
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Article
January 2011
Moving the Laboratory into the Wards
As healthcare seeks to provide better care with fewer resources, Point-of-Care Testing steps in to move key diagnostic or screening tests to the patient’s bedside. The results can have a significant impact on a patient outcome and operational costs.
Blood gases/acid-base
Process optimization
Glucose
Hemoglobins
Creatinine/urea
Natriuretic peptide
Article
July 2010
Lean as a learning system in a hospital ward
PURPOSE – The purpose of this article is to discuss lean as a learning system in a hospital ward.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – Discusses lean as a learning system in a hospital ward.
FINDINGS – The Toyota veterans are fond of saying, lean is about “making people before making parts” or, in the wards’ context,...
Process optimization
Information management
Article
April 2010
Can lean save lives
PURPOSE – The purpose of this paper is to show how over the last 18 months Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust have been exploring whether or not lean methodologies, often known as the Toyota Production System, can indeed be applied to healthcare.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – This paper is a viewpoint.
FINDINGS – One’s...
Process optimization
Information management