Improvements in medical quality and patient safety through implementation of a case bundle management strategy in a large outpatient blood collection center

What is it about?

Laboratory errors in blood collection center (BCC) are most common in the preanalytical phase. It is, therefore, of vital importance for administrators to take measures to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. In 2015, a case bundle management strategy was applied in a large outpatient BCC to improve its medical quality and patient safety. Unqualified blood sampling, complications, patient waiting time, largest number of patients waiting during peak hours, patient complaints, and patient satisfaction were compared over the period from 2014 to 2016. The strategy reduced unqualified blood sampling, complications, patient waiting time, largest number of patients waiting during peak hours, and patient complaints, while improving patient satisfaction. This strategy was effective in improving BCC healthcare quality and patient safety.

Featured Image

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Patients’ feelings, experiences, and satisfaction regarding medical care are becoming increasingly important indicators of the quality of medical care. For those requiring outpatient phlebotomies, the long process of registration, waiting for a doctor, and payment can result in impatience and a lack of satisfaction. Patient satisfaction can be further reduced by poor blood collection environments and bad medical experiences, not to mention unqualified samples (e.g., those with hemolysis or blood clotting) or local hematomas that may cause suffering.

Perspectives