Comprehensive improvements in the emergency laboratory test process based on information technology

Abstract

Objective: To explore the application effects of information technology (IT) on emergency laboratory testing procedures.

Methods: In this study, IT-based optimisation of the emergency laboratory testing process was implemented between October and December 2021. Thus, the emergency laboratory test reports from January to September 2021 were placed into the pre-optimised group, while those from January to September 2022 were categorised into the post-optimised group. Besides, the emergency laboratory test report time, emergency laboratory test report time limit coincidence rate, error rate, and employee and patient satisfaction levels in individual months and across the whole period were described. Moreover, changes in the above indicators before and after the implementation of IT-based optimisation were explored and the application effects of IT-based optimisation were also evaluated.

Results: The emergency laboratory test report times after the implementation of IT-based optimisation were shorter than those before IT-based optimisation (P < 0.05). The total number of laboratory test items before and after information optimization amounted to 222,139 and 259,651, respectively. Also, IT-based optimisation led to an increase in the emergency laboratory test report time limit coincidence rate from 98.77% to 99.03% (P < 0.05), while the emergency laboratory test report error rate fell from 0.77‱ to 0.15‱ (P < 0.05). Additionally, IT-based optimisation resulted in increases in both employee satisfaction, from 80.65% to 93.55% (N = 31, P > 0.05), and patient satisfaction, from 93.06% to 98.44% (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The automation and IT-based optimisation of the emergency laboratory testing process significantly reduces the emergency laboratory test report time and error rate. Additionally, IT-driven optimization enhances the alignment of emergency laboratory test report deadlines and enhances the overall quality and safety of emergency laboratory testing.

Keywords: Emergency laboratory test; Information technology; Process optimisation; Satisfaction; Turn-around time.