Background
Coventry Primary Care Trusts put the phlebotomy service out to tender in June 2007 to gain a service more efficient than that currently provided by University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, therefore this service had to be improved to retain the income of £500k per annum. The Provider Strategy Board also tasked the area to form a single pathology service over the next 2 years reducing costs by £4.6m.
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Project focus areas
This project focused on the 2 sites providing phlebotomy services within Coventry focusing on the reduction of patient waiting times. The improvement focus was split into:
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Patient flow through the area
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Management of cubicles & bleed times
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Stock availability and control
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Making the environment fit for purpose
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Our customized approach
A team was formed comprising all the areas of phlebotomy on both sites plus other representatives from within pathology to give a rounded perspective. We then undertook the following programme of:
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Training
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Preparation work and Value Stream Mapping
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Rapid Improvement Event
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Sustainability
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Results
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83% average reduction in waiting times at both sites.
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Standard processes across the 2 sites including cross training of staff
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£20k per annum recruitment saved, increasing the capacity of current staff negating need to fill all full time vacancies.
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Negated need for additional recruitment as demanded by the Primary Care Trust if waiting times did not improve.
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£4100 per annum staff costs saved, ad hoc bank staff removed.
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Patient and staff experience greatly improved, improvement seen in all categories of patient survey.
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350 steps per day negated, one-way patient flow & improved signage enabled staff to remain in cubicle area rather than directing patients.
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