Pathology - Case studies

The selection of case studies below demonstrate the achievements made when applying service improvenment methodology. Each case study describes the improvements made and the impact on service delivery:

• General
• Histopathology
• Microbiology
• Blood sciences
• Imunology
• Cytology

General

Re-designing specimen transport to smooth workflow and improve productivity
University Hospital of North Staffordshire (January 2010)

The role of visual management in the pathology lean improvement process
University Hospital of North Staffordshire (January 2010)

Demonstrating waste in the paper reporting printing process
Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

Role of users in the pathology lean improvement process

Lean in the Lab - Kanban
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

Lean in the Lab - level loading specimen delivery
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

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Histopathology

Sustaining continuous improvement in histopathology - two years on
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (January 2010)

Consultant Histopathologists lead the way in lean improvement
Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

43% reduction in end to end turnaround times for Histology
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

Service improvement measures in histology laboratory
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust (Sept 2008)

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Microbiology

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust - 24 hour, seven day microbiology services
Case study PDF - full version
Case study PDF - shortened version
Original write-up of case study

50% reduction in end to end turnaround times for MRSA testing
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (January 2010)

21% reduction of inappropriate demand in microbiology using standard work and visual management
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (January 2010)

90% reduction in microbiology turnaround times for urine and MRSA samples
University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

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Blood sciences

Using lean to reduce turnaround of inpatient haematology specimens by 57%
The Mater Misericordiae Hopsital (Sept 2007)

Lean improves quality, safety and turn around times in phlebotomy services
The Mater Misericordiae Hopsital (Sept 2007)

62% reduction in end to end turn around times for haematology samples
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

Laboratory uses Lean and Six Sigma principles to improve turnaround times.
Increase staff utilisation & reduce space in five days
St Helen's & Knowsley NHS Trust (Sept 2007)

Reducing turnaround times in pathology using Lean thinking
Hereford Hospital (Sept 2007)

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Immunology

Lean in the Lab - Immunology Process Changes
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

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Cytology

Lean in the Lab - cytology increased collections
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

More cytology case studies

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