Change in Clinical Laboratory Environment

CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction 2

The culture of change in the clinical laboratory environment is important in the health care system. It ensures that the environment is always up to date with the most recent medical needs of patients at any given time. It is also the best way to ensure that technology has been embraced and is beneficial to the health sector.

1. Abstract

Change in clinical laboratory is supposed to be communicated so that it is effective and acceptable. It is also free from resistance by the concerned parties when adequate communication is made (PROSCI, 2017).

1.2 Executive Summary

1.3 Literature Review

1.4 Changes in three sections of the laboratory environment 

1.5 Specimen Collection

• The method of collection of specimen for tests in clinical laboratories.

The collection of specimen for test in clinical laboratories is an exercise that requires skill and keenness. Contamination of the specimen often leads to wrong results being found. In a hospital setting, wrong results are usually matters of life and death. It often results in people ending up with health conditions that cannot be reversed due to small testing errors.

• The equipment used in collecting specimen in clinical laboratories and their structures (Allison, 2003).

The equipment used in collecting specimens in the laboratories have to be accurate and adequately upgraded. This is to prevent the possibility of equipment failing and delaying results for patients. In some cases a delay in diagnosis leads to a life threatening situation like permanent paralysis or even death.

1.6 Specimen testing

• The method applied in testing and evaluating the specimen.

The methods for testing specimens have to be upgraded accordingly and regularly to ensure that the patients being tested get clear results. The methods have to be well structured and thorough for the safety of patients.

• The technology applied in studying the specimen must be of good quality and standard (Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards: Updated Version, 2011).

The evaluation of the specimen must be of certified quality at all times. This means that at no time will the laboratory technicians give results that cannot be replicated by different people in a different laboratory.

1.7 Results recording and reporting

• The mode of recording results from the specimen.

The recording of results from the specimen has to adhere to good quality also. This means that the records can be read and understood by other people without the assistance of the one who made the tests.

• The reporting of results from the laboratory studies.

The reporting methods for laboratory results have to be well structured and systematic. Step by step reporting is necessary for the doctors to make diagnosis without skipping a crucial sign in the process.

1.8 Challenges faced in effecting change in the clinical laboratory environment

• Cost of new and upgraded equipment

The cost of upgrading the equipment each time a new one is invented is very high and unsustainable most of the times.

• Cost of training laboratory technicians on new practices.

The cost of training people and arming them with new skills is exorbitant and the technicians may have to pay for their training some times. This will result in the technicians refusing to further their training. The technicians will thus perform less than they are capable of even with new technology in place for laboratory efficiency.

• Reluctance by laboratory assistants to engage in research for new laboratory practices.

Lack of funding is also likely to discourage scientists from taking part in research studies to improve laboratory practices. It is important that the funding is adequate to finance the activities of scientists to improve the quality of laboratory practices.

1.8.1 Solutions to the current laboratory environmental challenges

• Creating awareness for new methods of laboratory practices.

There are many more efficient inventions in clinical laboratory. Publications should be made about them to ensure that they are known and improved to suit the needs of the new health conditions of the people. When there is an awareness, the laboratory technicians are able to adjust their practice to ensure it is top notch and updated.

• Sourcing adequate funding for upgrading laboratory practices and equipment.

Hospitals have to find new ways of generating income and funding for upgrading their equipment. It is important that the laboratory practices are well funded to cater for the creativity of scientists to allow for the possible innovation of more life saving creations.

1.8.2 Value of Change in laboratory environments

• Leads to development of more efficient clinical laboratory operations.

Change in equipment and funding in the operations of the laboratories is important because it leads to better and more accurate results from the laboratories. 

• Encourages innovation and creativity.

When change in the laboratory scene is permitted, people can get creative and innovate better functioning clinical laboratories.

• Leads to better overall health care practices.

The health care practices overall are improved when less erratic diagnosis are made and people receive quality health care. Hospitals become more efficient and the health services more reliable.

1.8.3 Evaluation of the change in clinical laboratory environments.

• How effective is it likely to be? (Radiol, 2007) 

Change in the laboratory operations is likely to be very effective if it improves the accuracy of diagnosis for patients. More accurate diagnosis means less preventable deaths and serious health conditions.

• How these steps make clinical laboratory environment more conducive for the technicians.

The improvement of laboratory environments ensures that the technicians are not exposed to danger while at work. It is important to take of the welfare of workers in the hospitals letting to reduce the occurrence of work related injuries.

• How the changes are likely to influence the quality of health care in the long run.

In the long run, the quality of health care is most important. Improving laboratory practices, environments and structures ensures the safety of health workers.

• How laboratory efficiency is relevant to overall health care

Overall health care is tied to laboratory practices because the diagnosis and evaluation tests are conducted in the laboratories. The tests are the key factors in evaluating the standards of health care and the quality of care in hospitals.

1.8.3 Conclusion

Health care is a very important part of the economy. Change in health care ensures that new health conditions are captured early and can be managed within the shortest time with change in clinical laboratory environments.

References

Allison, D. (2003). Nature and Rate of Change in Clinical Laboratories. Boulevard: The Center for Health Designs.

PROSCI. (2017). Roles in Change Management. Retrieved from Prosci: www.prosci.com/change-management/thought-leadership-library/roles-in-chnage-management

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards: Updated Version. (2011). Retrieved from National Academic Press: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55867/

Radiol, A. (2007). The Prevalence Effect in a Laboratory Environment: Changing the Confidence Ratings. US National Library of Medicine.