Authors (including presenting author) :
Lam CM (1),Fu MF(1), Chim TL(1), Poon CK(1), , Lai W (1), Luk PK (1), Sum YC (1), Wan CS (1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Anaesthesia and Operating Theatre Services, Pok Oi Hospital, New Territories West Cluster
Introduction :
Errors in specimen handling can lead to irreversible consequences including delay treatment/ diagnosis or even misdiagnosis which causes a permanent trauma to patients. Health care organizations are recommended to conduct proactive risk analysis of specimen handling procedures and design safer processes. RFID is one of the automatic tracking technologies can be used for enhancing specimen handling workflow and minimize the risk of specimen handling. A pilot RFID specimen tracking program was implemented from Mar,2022 to April,2022 in POH OT and workflow of specimen handling is reviewed.
Objectives :
(1) To review and revise specimen handling workflow in OT; (2) To educate nursing staff about the enhanced specimen handling workflow with RFID specimens tracking system (3) To reinforce staff with the proper specimen handling procedure through education lecture (4) To pilot the efficacy of the system. (5) To evaluate staff competency in specimen handling after training
Methodology :
A “Plan-Do-Check-Act” Cycle was employed. In “Plan”, the existing specimen handling workflow was analyzed and evaluated. In “Do”, (1) specimen handling workflow was revised, (2) pre- and post-education questionnaires were conducted for data analysis, (3) pilot Specimen Tracking System was implemented in POH OT, (4) practical demonstration assessment and observation were achieved. In “Check”, data analyzed for knowledge and attitude of colleagues through the pre- and post-questionnaires and practical demonstration assessment, also assessed the accuracy of the specimen tracking system by the data collected in the pilot test. In “Act”, the effectiveness of the education program was reviewed and evaluated for modification and further improvement.
Result & Outcome :
In post-questionnaires, more than 90 % staff answered questions about the new workflow and technology use correctly. For colleague’s attitude toward using new technology, positive changes were found in the comparison of colleagues' attitude between pre- and post-questionnaires. Nursing staffs’ achievable rate of the criteria reached 90% in practical demonstration assessment and observation. The efficacy of the system was evaluated through detectability, traceability and alarm function which also reached 100% in the pilot.
The program optimized specimen handling workflow and colleagues were competent to handle the specimens with the RFID system. The efficacy of the new system was satisfied and believed that it will help enhancing safety in handling and transporting specimen in future implementation.
