Workshop on Process Improvement in Diagnostic Laboratories

Dates of the training: February 24-26, 2020

Invited experts: CDC Laboratory Process Improvement Program Expert, Brian Robie

- Program Manager – Jacqueline Stafstrom

Participants of the seminar:

Specialists of virology laboratories of the Agency for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Tashkent, Tashkent and Syrdarya regions,

Specialists of virology laboratories of the Republican Center for Blood Transfusion, NPP Blood Products, Blood Transfusion Centers of Tashkent and Syrdarya regions,

Specialists of the reference laboratory of the Research Institute of Virology

Objective

The overall objective of this workshop was to provide and explain a tool to improve workflows for routine and periodic laboratory testing of viral hepatitis. Improved, accurate and timely diagnostics can be used to effectively treat individuals with positive test results and avoid costly and time-consuming treatment for individuals with negative results.

Abstract

Workshop participants were divided into 5 teams to work in a 3-day workflow improvement training. Teams learned to solve routine and recurring laboratory problems on topics such as reporting, diagnostics, turnaround time and process errors. This participatory workshop covered the following key topics:

Problem Definition

- Data Measurement

- Problem Analysis

- Improvement Plan and Implementation

- Identifying Results

During this workshop, participants completed various team exercises to develop a detailed plan to improve a serious laboratory problem they had identified.

During the workshop, teams learned how to use available data to set goals, use templates to describe work processes, identify key indicators to monitor process improvement, and construct an Ishikawa diagram to identify the critical cause of a problem in a work process.

They also learned how to plan an improvement project, identify key tasks, and assign responsibilities for a process.

Following this workshop, teams will implement the project in their own workplaces for four months, after which they will present their findings to management and lab staff.