Top 3 Tips for Reducing Variability and Improving Lab Performance
Applying these three tips can help clinical labs provide the highest standards of patient care
Nancy Ross is a laboratory professional with more than 20 years of experience. She is the founder of Improov, a laboratory consulting company with a focus on laboratory quality and performance improvement.
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To reduce variability and enhance laboratory performance, consider these three key tips:
Tip 1: Training
Training is fundamental for maintaining consistency and reliability in laboratory operations. Properly trained personnel are less likely to introduce errors or variations into experiments. It's imperative to establish a comprehensive training system for onboarding new staff that covers safety protocols, standard operating procedures, and equipment usage to provide a strong foundation.
Training and a strong competency assessment program ensures laboratory personnel are competent to produce quality lab results.
Tip 2: Robust quality management systems
A robust quality management system plays a pivotal role in maintaining consistent lab performance and minimizing variability. This system should encompass the entire spectrum of lab operations, from preanalytic to postanalytic phases, and focus on fundamental components for quality operation and patient outcomes.
Implementing a quality plan with indicators in various phases and monitoring performance ensures that the lab meets quality goals, and it allows for timely corrections if deviations occur.
Tip 3: Effective communication
Effective communication serves as the linchpin that binds these considerations together, with transparency as a key element. Leaders should prioritize keeping staff well-informed about changes and decisions, providing clear explanations for the rationale behind their choices.
Ultimately, a well-informed and engaged team stands as the laboratory's most valuable asset—communication serves as the conduit to foster engagement and collaboration, facilitating improved lab performance.
Ensuring the highest standards of patient care
Optimizing laboratory operations and reducing variability are essential for improving laboratory performance. The three key considerations of training, a robust quality management system, and effective communication form a cohesive framework for achieving these goals. Training ensures that personnel are well-equipped and competent in their roles, while a quality management system establishes standards for consistent performance. Effective communication fosters engagement and collaboration among the lab team. When these considerations are diligently applied, laboratories can operate at their best, ensuring the highest standards of patient care.