Implementing Next-Generation Sequencing Process Changes to Increase Capacity and Improve Timeliness of Molecular Biomarker Profiling for Lung Cancer Patients.
Journal
The journal of applied laboratory medicine
ISSN: 2576-9456
Titre abrégé: J Appl Lab Med
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101693884
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 Dec 2023
15 Dec 2023
Historique:
received:
06
06
2023
accepted:
28
09
2023
medline:
16
12
2023
pubmed:
16
12
2023
entrez:
15
12
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Faced with expansion of molecular tumor biomarker profiling, the molecular genetics laboratory at Kingston Health Science Centre experienced significant pressures to maintain the provincially mandated 2-week turnaround time (TAT) for lung cancer (LC) patients. We used quality improvement methodology to identify opportunities for improved efficiencies and report the impact of the initiative. We set a target of reducing average TAT from accessioning to clinical molecular lab report for LC patients. Process measures included percentage of cases reaching TAT within target and number of cases. We developed a value stream map and used lean methodology to identify baseline inefficiencies. Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were implemented to streamline, standardize, and automate laboratory workflows. Statistical process control (SPC) charts assessed for significance by special cause variation. A total of 257 LC cases were included (39 baseline January-May 2021; 218 post-expansion of testing June 2021). The average time for baseline TAT was 12.8 days, peaking at 23.4 days after expansion of testing, and improved to 13.9 days following improvement interventions, demonstrating statistical significance by special cause variation (nonrandom variation) on SPC charts. The implementation of standardized manual and automated laboratory processes improved timeliness of biomarker reporting despite the increasing volume of testing at our center.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Faced with expansion of molecular tumor biomarker profiling, the molecular genetics laboratory at Kingston Health Science Centre experienced significant pressures to maintain the provincially mandated 2-week turnaround time (TAT) for lung cancer (LC) patients. We used quality improvement methodology to identify opportunities for improved efficiencies and report the impact of the initiative.
METHODS
METHODS
We set a target of reducing average TAT from accessioning to clinical molecular lab report for LC patients. Process measures included percentage of cases reaching TAT within target and number of cases. We developed a value stream map and used lean methodology to identify baseline inefficiencies. Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were implemented to streamline, standardize, and automate laboratory workflows. Statistical process control (SPC) charts assessed for significance by special cause variation.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 257 LC cases were included (39 baseline January-May 2021; 218 post-expansion of testing June 2021). The average time for baseline TAT was 12.8 days, peaking at 23.4 days after expansion of testing, and improved to 13.9 days following improvement interventions, demonstrating statistical significance by special cause variation (nonrandom variation) on SPC charts.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of standardized manual and automated laboratory processes improved timeliness of biomarker reporting despite the increasing volume of testing at our center.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38102066
pii: 7475327
doi: 10.1093/jalm/jfad105
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine.