Improving Lab Turnaround Times

The Problem

In a 2008 medical staff satisfaction survey, 93 percent of Advocate Good Shepherd physicians indicated overall satisfaction with the hospital. However, the satisfaction rate for hospital laboratory turnaround times was between 50 percent and 60 percent. In addition, a discharge-time project identified morning lab results as a critical component for timely discharges: Only 36 percent of non-ICU morning lab results were available by 7:00 a.m., and this led to delays in treatment and discharge of patients.

The Solution

The hospital conducted a value stream analysis of the laboratory and developed a road map of improvement events, such as rapid improvements, just-do-its, workouts, and projects. Frontline staff, both lab and non-lab, were involved in the VSA and rapid improvement events. In addition, key lab leadership and lean facilitators visited a best-practices lab to get ideas for making improvements. With this information, Advocate Good Shepherd streamlined its laboratory workflow and redesigned the physical layout of the laboratory.

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