NHS Improvement Diagnostics - publications

On this page you will find publications across all sections of Diagnostics. We also share our recent publications on our LinkedIn page.

You can also view our publications by workstream:

• Cytology
• Lean
• Pathology
• Radiology

	First steps towards quality improvement: A simple guide to improving services (December 2011)
	Rapid review of endoscopy services NHS Improvement Jan 2012 shares emerging learning from front line services and identifies areas of good practice in addition to highlighting some key challenges that endoscopy departments are encountering today (March 2012)
	First steps in improving phlebotomy: The challenge to improve quality, productivity and patient experience In Lord Carter’s review of pathology services, the importance of improving access to phlebotomy was referenced. Working in partnership with the Department of Health Pathology Programme, NHS Improvement supported four pilot sites to test whether Lean methodology could meet the challenge of improving the quality, productivity, and patient experience for phlebotomy services (Published May 2011).
	What a difference a day makes Small improvements at each step of the end to end pathway, as little as one hour or one day, support users to deliver effective MDTs, redesign outpatient clinics and improve the patient experience and outcomes (Published January 2011).
	Learning how to achieve a seven day turnaround in histopathology Reducing the intervals between specimens being taken and results being made available will reduce the period of uncertainty for patients and will help to ensure that treatment can be started as soon as clinically appropriate. For inpatients reduced histopathology turnaround times can lead to reductions in lengths of stay.(Published November 2010).
	Continuous improvement in cytology - sustaining and accelerating improvement The Cancer Reform Strategy made a promise that all women would receive their screening results within two weeks by 2010, the next challenge was sustainability. This publication demonstrates how the pilot sites have continued to embed their improvements throughout the cytology pathway. It includes practical examples in reducing turnaround times, improving quality, safety and productivity (Published October 2010).
	Why treat stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) as emergencies? Diagnostics and Stroke Improvement launched this publication on “Why treat stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) as emergencies”. This publication highlights the benefits and provides examples of how radiology departments have managed to meet these demands (Published June 2010)
	Bringing Lean to Life "Bringing Lean to Life" provides a basic introduction and overview of Lean; the culture, principles and tools to understand, tackle and resolve issues within healthcare. It is not intended as a complete guide to implementing Lean as a management system. (May 2010).
	Cytology improvement guide - achieving a 14 day turnaround time in Cytology This new guide highlights the findings and improvements from the pilot sites who tested how the 14 day standards can be achieved using Lean methodology.This practical guide is supported by tried and tested case studies across the whole patient pathway which NHS staff involved in the screening pathway can adopt and adapt to meet their local setting. (Published November 2009).
	Learning from Pathology service improvement sites As referred to in the Carter review, this publication demonstrates that achievements can be made rapidly, for little or no cost. (Published August 2006).
	Service Improvement for Radiologists a signposting document summarising service improvement methodology and benefits November 2007