(Converted from ThinkLab 08 Session 742)

 Tuesday, October 7, 2008 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM, ET

Maryland General Hospital (MGH) has overhauled its laboratory QA program to focus on early detection, problem identification, and follow-up using information technology. Over the past few years, we have implemented system and people-focused processes using information technology to ensure continuous quality improvement. System improvement and accountability were the key areas of focus. Because of the implemented changes, we now have the ability to identify training needs and to continuously review and revise the department’s QA priorities and focus.

This session presents three QA case studies based on the experience and work of MGH. The first case study follows our point-of-care (POC) glucometer program and its “3 Strikes You’re Out” policy that resulted in a sustained reduction in both patient identification errors and quality control failures. The second case study involves using an automated email “nag” notice to alert the nursing manager about an increased occurrence of mislabeled specimens. This procedure helped decrease the likelihood of misidentification. Finally, the third case study demonstrates how the laboratory director distributed an occurrence summary report to all individuals involved with each phase and process deviation.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:

1. Describe ways to improve quality-control accuracy and reduced error.
2. Discuss the value of information technology used for staff training in reducing mislabeled specimens.
3. Use a laboratory-incident database application to identify specific error trends and allow for detailed analysis of the occurrences for process improvement.

Presenters:

John T. Braun,MD, MD, FCAP, ASCP

Dr. Braun is Laboratory Director and Chief of Pathology at Maryland General Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.  He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1975 with a Doctorate of Medicine.  He completed his anatomical and clinical pathology residencies at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, fellowships in surgical pathology at the University of Minnesota, pediatric pathology at Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center, and hematology at the National Naval Medical Center.  He is certified in anatomical and clinical pathology and hematology.

In 2004, Dr. Braun was made Interim Director of the Laboratory and Acting Chief of Pathology at Maryland General Hospital.  In 2006, these positions were made permanent.  

Inci A. Hepner, MT(ASCP) BS, QA & POCT Supervisor, Maryland General Hospital

Inci Hepner graduated from Towson University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology.  She was certified that same year with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and now has over 25 years of experience in the field.

Since 2005, Inci Hepner has been serving as the Quality Assurance and Point of Care Testing Supervisor at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.  She coordinates accreditation and regulatory activities to ensure compliance and 24/7 regulatory readiness. 

In the September 25, 2006 edition of The Dark Report, Inci Hepner and Dr. John Braun were quoted in the article titled, “Middleware Produces Data in Real Time for Lab Managers”.

Intermediate

1.5 Credit Hours

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