Using Metrics to Assess and Improve Laboratory Performance
Metrics such as turnaround time (TAT), error rates, and number of full time employees are used to assess performance, both in the laboratory and at the healthcare administration level. With the availability of real-time data, laboratories are increasingly using metrics like these on a day-to-day basis to spot trends, identify issues, troubleshoot, and fine-tune processes to take corrective action and improve on performance. This tutorial presents insights from clinical laboratories around the world to show the way metrics can assist in the quest for improved patient safety, timely patient management decisions, and overall efficiency.
