Teaching the Laboratory's Role in Diagnostic Stewardship: Engaging Pathology Residents in a Quality Initiative to Improve Autoverification Rates.

Abstract

Background: Our institution involves our pathology residents in departmental quality initiatives and in identifying needs for operational improvements. The solutions achieved by these projects have effects beyond the laboratory, and ultimately help to improve diagnostic stewardship by supporting the clinician's ability to obtain necessary biochemical information at the right time. A project highlighting a successful venture is described here in which our investment in new total laboratory automation was not meeting our goals for autoverification rates, resulting in less than expected improvements to turnaround times (TAT).

Methods: To improve efficiency of the new laboratory automation, our third-year pathology residents examined the limitations to the verification process and current delta checks. They performed a literature review for the most updated evidence-based practices, examined clinical metrics such as TAT. The residents assessed their findings combined with the laboratory's quality goals, and contributed to updating middleware rule modifications. Several chemistry analyte software rules were revised while others were eliminated.

Results: After implementation of the modifications autoverification rates improved from 78% to 89% within 2 months of rule revisions. Average TAT for STAT basic metabolic profile improved from 51 to 46 minutes.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the benefits of involving pathology residents in quality improvement initiatives. Residents are skilled resources capable of evaluating laboratory workflow processes in the context of clinical need. In this process, the residents experience the responsibilities of laboratory administration and learn the role of the laboratory in diagnostic stewardship.