Processes and Practices Improvement of Sample Receiving Counter at Government Clinical Laboratory in Sri Lanka

Improving efficiency of a clinical laboratory service should be a first priority in healthcare development of any country. It plays a significant role as it facilitates diagnosing and treating diseases and finally to discharge the patients faster. Therefore, the reliability and the accuracy of a clinical laboratory should be guaranteed through a sound sample management. The aim of this study was to improve the process and practices of sample management at a sample receiving counter of a selected government clinical laboratory in Sri Lanka.

The study was an institution based interventional project. The research adopted mixed methods including a desk review, a checklist, focus group discussions and a staff satisfaction survey which was conducted among Medical Laboratory Technologists.  Proportions, percentages and means were calculated for quantitative data and narrative analysis was done for the analysis of qualitative data.

The results indicated that the incidences of missing samples and request forms and sample handling time have been significantly reduced at post intervention. Performance of the routine counter activities including proper documentation, updating the notice boards, monitoring temperatures of sample storing refrigerators and consideration of rejection criteria in accepting the samples were significantly improved after the intervention. Staff satisfaction on overall sample handling process and practices was significantly improved after the intervention except the current practice of sample data management and facility availability to carry out duties. The study recommends modifying the counter layout with adequate expansion. It also recognized the necessity of implementing a Laboratory Information Management System for whole laboratory operation.