Strategy for 90% autoverification of clinical chemistry and immunoassay test results using six sigma process improvement.

Six Sigma involves a structured process improvement strategy that places processes on a pathway to continued improvement. The data presented here summarizes a project that took three clinical laboratories from autoverification processes that allowed between about 40% to 60% of tests being auto-verified to more than 90% of tests and samples auto-verified. The project schedule, metrics and targets, a description of the previous system and detailed information on the changes made to achieve greater than 90% auto-verification is presented for this Six Sigma DMAIC (Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process improvement project.

Autoverification process improvement by Six Sigma approach: Clinical chemistry & immunoassay.

Objective: This study examines effectiveness of a project to enhance an autoverification (AV) system through application of Six Sigma (DMAIC) process improvement strategies.

Design And Methods: Similar AV systems set up at three sites underwent examination and modification to produce improved systems while monitoring proportions of samples autoverified, the time required for manual review and verification, sample processing time, and examining characteristics of tests not autoverified. This information was used to identify areas for improvement and monitor the impact of changes.

Evaluation of the analytical performance of the novel NS-Prime system and examination of temperature stability of fecal transferrin compared with fecal hemoglobin as biomarkers in a colon cancer screening program.

Objective: To examine the analytical aspects of fecal transferrin (Tf) and hemoglobin (Hb) measured on the NS-Prime analyzer for use in a colon cancer screening program.

Designs And Methods: Method evaluation and temperature stability studies for fecal Tf and Hb were completed. A method comparison was carried out against the NS-Plus system using samples collected from 254 screening program participants.