Predicting turnaround time reductions of the diagnostic track in the histopathology laboratory using mathematical modelling

Journal of Clinical Pathology
A G LeeftinkP J van Diest

Abstract

Pathology departments face a growing volume of more and more complex testing in an era where healthcare costs tend to explode and short turnaround times (TATs) are expected. In contrast, the histopathology workforce tends to shrink, so histopathology employees experience high workload during their shifts. This points to the need for efficient planning of activities in the histopathology laboratory, to ensure an equal division of workload and low TATs, at minimum costs. The histopathology laboratory of a large academic hospital in The Netherlands was analysed using mathematical modelling. Data were collected from the Laboratory Management System to determine laboratory TATs and workload performance during regular working hours. A mixed integer linear programme (MILP) was developed to model the histopathology processes and to measure the expected performance of possible interventions in terms of TATs and spread of workload. The MILP model predicted that tissue processing at specific moments during the day, combined with earlier starting shifts, can result in up to 25% decrease of TATs, and a more equally spread workload over the day. Mathematical modelling can help to optimally organise the workload in the histopathology laborato...Continue Reading

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Jan 29, 2011·International Journal for Quality in Health Care : Journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care·Anna PintoCharles Vincent

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Citations

Feb 9, 2019·The International Journal of Health Planning and Management·Kanokporn PongjetanapongNikolaus Furian
Aug 9, 2019·Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences·Eline R TsaiYolanda B de Rijke
Feb 27, 2018·Health Systems·A G LeeftinkR J Boucherie

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