OCR Text |
Show COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS AN EVALUATION OF THE REDUCTION OF ROUTINE BLOOD DRAW FREQUENCY IN AN INPATIENT SETTING Carson Mills (Jim Agutter, Jonathan Hickerson) Department of Biology (Spark Heath Innovation Lab) University of Utah Background: The University of Utah Hospital set out to increase the efficiency of the laboratory ordering process and patient satisfaction levels by reducing the number of redundant venipunctures experienced by patients. To increase the efficiency of the laboratory ordering process, documentation on the ability to combine new laboratory tests with samples previously obtained from patients (Add-On orders) and the importance of limiting the number of orders submitted for immediate draw and processing (Stat orders) was disseminated to health care providers. In an effort to combat redundancy, the frequency of routine blood draws was reduced from every hour to every four hours (q1 toq4). It was hypothesized that a switch from q1-q4 blood draws would allow providers more time to order the tests that they required resulting in an observable increase in add-on orders and a decrease in stat orders. Introduction: The goal of this study was to provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of the q1-q4 switch on laboratory ordering efficiency. Special attention was paid to also document any change in h o w laboratory tests were being ordered in response to the ql -q4 switch. Methods: Two main research approaches were utilized during this study. The first, a qualitative approach, was focused on understanding the benefits of the q1-q4 switch perceived by health care providers w h o were the closest to the change. The second, a quantitative approach, was completed by collecting the laboratory order data for 2012 and analyzing it for any increase or decrease in add-on and stat orders submitted. Findings: The health care provider interviews conducted revealed a favorable opinion of the q1-q4 switch. It is important to note that not all health care providers interviewed were aware that the switch had taken place. They did, however, agree that a ql -q4 switch would be favorable. The data collected suggests that add-on ordering has decreased and stat orders have increased after the ql -q4 switch took place. Ordera By Monti 1 - < - CM-al «"» Add On and Stat Order Percentage By Month ' " , - = - , =*= r-- £ "•~ £ •«"* £ _ lun £ iui> £ £ *"" ""* £ - « £ _LJJ»_J_S««_ ~r Carson Mills Jim Agutter m Jonathan Hickerson |