Using information technology to optimize the identification process for outpatients having blood drawn and improve patient satisfaction

Abstract

Background: This study explored the application effect of information technology in optimizing the patient identification process.

Methods: The method for optimizing the identification process involved in drawing blood among outpatients using information technology was executed from July 2020. In this paper, 959 patients who had blood drawn from January to June 2020 were included as the pre-optimization group, and 1011 patients who had blood drawn from July to December 2019 were included as the post-optimization group. The correct rate of patient identification, waiting time, and patient satisfaction before and after the optimization were statistically analyzed. The changes in these three indexes before and after the optimization implementation, as well as the application effects, were compared.

Results: The correct rate of patient identification after optimization (99.80%) was higher than before optimization (98.02%) (X² = 13.120; P < 0.001), and the waiting time for having blood drawn was also significantly shortened (t = 8.046; P < 0.001). The satisfaction of patients was also significantly improved (X² = 20.973; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: By combining information technology with the characteristics of blood collection in our hospital, using the call system to obtain patient information, then scan the QR code of the guide sheet for automatic verification, and finally manually reconfirm patient information, which can significantly reduce the occurrence of identification errors, improve work efficiency and improve patients' satisfaction.

Keywords: Information technology; Patient identification; Patient satisfaction; Process optimization.