Question

Following a series of complaints from the Emergency Department about the length of turnaround time (TAT) for STAT testing, your manager asks that you investigate the complaints. Following a series of complaints from the Emergency Department about the length of turnaround time (TAT) for STAT testing, your manager asks that you investigate the complaints.

1. List the areas where there may be concerns? Is there a quality tool/activity to help with this step?

2. What data would you collect and how would you collect it?

Answer 1

1)

STAT

Emergency department should provide a maximum care in minimum waiting time period. The STAT system should provide immediate results. These are done in emergency situations., where there is no time for waiting.

Areas of consideration

• Hematology
• Cardiac markers
• Endocrinology
• Blood gases
• Coagulation
• Electrolytes

These are the areas of consideration.

Delay in these departmets may be life threatening to patients, because time is the most important factor to plan and start treatment in emergency situations.

Assess the situations of each department

Check reasons for dealy

Check whether there is insufficient staff

Check whether there is damage to diagnostic equipments.

Check medical records

Collect complaints.

Collect feedback

The information collected wil include reasons for dealy, complaints from each department, corrections required, additional requirements from each department.

These are collected by checking medical records, reviewing each department's needs and collecting feedback through questionare