Contributions
Abstract: PB1906
Type: Publication Only
Background
In 2015, Wellington SCL (WSCL) was selected to provide integrated laboratory services in the Wellington region, New Zealand (NZ). This involved merging services from previous community laboratory Aotea Pathology Ltd. (APL) with the three regional hospital based District Health Boards (DHB) laboratories - Capital & Coast (CCDHB), Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. On the 1st of November 2015, WSCL would launch its new integrated service with a merged workforce, new technology, processes and procedures. Considered to be the biggest laboratory integration project undertaken in NZ, every effort needed to be made to reduce the workload without compromising patient care.
Aims
In the Haematology laboratory, one of the most common triggers for blood films are iron deficient pictures with the characteristic finding of reduced Haemoglobin (Hb), MCV and MCH. Above certain thresholds, the blood film adds little or no value to the CBC in these patients, apart from correlating with the iron studies results or suggesting iron studies when unavailable. One initiative used to manage the workload was based on this logic and aimed to reduce the blood film review rate using IT3000 technology (Roche).
Methods
An algorithm was designed in IT3000 to encourage testing and treatment for iron deficiency using a series of automated educational comments, while minimising unnecessary laboratory work. The impact that this algorithm had at WSCL was investigated by retrospective analysis of all the patient results from 1st November 2015 to the 1st of May 2016.
Results
In the first six months of operation, WSCL performed 232,192 CBCs and 30,204 blood films with an average review rate of 13.01%. Had this algorithm not been employed, 2,434 extra blood films would have been reviewed, bringing the review rate up to 14.05%.
Conclusion
Incorporation of an algorithm specific for iron deficiency in IT3000 has significantly reduced the review rate without any negative impact on patient care.
Session topic: 28. Iron metabolism, deficiency and overload
Keyword(s): iron deficiency
Abstract: PB1906
Type: Publication Only
Background
In 2015, Wellington SCL (WSCL) was selected to provide integrated laboratory services in the Wellington region, New Zealand (NZ). This involved merging services from previous community laboratory Aotea Pathology Ltd. (APL) with the three regional hospital based District Health Boards (DHB) laboratories - Capital & Coast (CCDHB), Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. On the 1st of November 2015, WSCL would launch its new integrated service with a merged workforce, new technology, processes and procedures. Considered to be the biggest laboratory integration project undertaken in NZ, every effort needed to be made to reduce the workload without compromising patient care.
Aims
In the Haematology laboratory, one of the most common triggers for blood films are iron deficient pictures with the characteristic finding of reduced Haemoglobin (Hb), MCV and MCH. Above certain thresholds, the blood film adds little or no value to the CBC in these patients, apart from correlating with the iron studies results or suggesting iron studies when unavailable. One initiative used to manage the workload was based on this logic and aimed to reduce the blood film review rate using IT3000 technology (Roche).
Methods
An algorithm was designed in IT3000 to encourage testing and treatment for iron deficiency using a series of automated educational comments, while minimising unnecessary laboratory work. The impact that this algorithm had at WSCL was investigated by retrospective analysis of all the patient results from 1st November 2015 to the 1st of May 2016.
Results
In the first six months of operation, WSCL performed 232,192 CBCs and 30,204 blood films with an average review rate of 13.01%. Had this algorithm not been employed, 2,434 extra blood films would have been reviewed, bringing the review rate up to 14.05%.
Conclusion
Incorporation of an algorithm specific for iron deficiency in IT3000 has significantly reduced the review rate without any negative impact on patient care.
Session topic: 28. Iron metabolism, deficiency and overload
Keyword(s): iron deficiency