Table 1 Case study findings and their connection to components of the EEOC framework
EEOC framework | Impact on laboratory setting |
|---|---|
Communication | Â |
How is information exchanged? | Synchronous (e.g., telephone calls) vs. asynchronous (e.g., computer messages) (Blood Bank) |
Paper vs. electronic orders (Haematology and Clinical Chemistry) | |
Type of information exchange? | Reasons for telephone calls in the Blood Bank (e.g., questions, confirmation, dispensing advice etc) (Blood Bank) |
Decision support systems (e.g. notification of redundant test request) . | |
How is information processed? | Linear (e.g., order, process and result) aspects vs. collaborative processes (e.g., advice about orders, confirmation of orders and blood products) (Blood Bank) |
Autoverification requirements (Haematology) | |
What are the outcomes of the information exchange? | Test result reports, blood products (Blood Bank) |
Storage of specimens (e.g., tracking information) (Clinical Chemistry) | |
Blood collection requests and patient procedures (Central Specimen Reception) | |
Temporal | Â |
How is communication scheduled? | Accuracy and message reinforcement required for orders (Blood Bank) |
How is information synchronised? | Warning and notification systems to ensure notification and synchronisation of work (Blood Bank) |
Synchronisation of systems to check reference ranges, critical values etc. (Haematology) | |
Work roles and work process changes (Central Specimen Reception) | |
How is information allocated? | Sorting and collation of blood collection requests (Central Specimen Reception) |
Frequency and duration of administration tasks (Central Specimen Reception) | |
How is time conceptualised? | Clock time (e.g. test result turnaround times) (Clinical Chemistry) |
Work flows (e.g. specimen transportation times) (Central Specimen Reception) | |
Organisational | Â |
How is work controlled? | Audit trails (e.g., monitoring of processes) (Blood Bank) |
The role of specimen tracking systems (Clinical Chemistry) | |
Changes in work patterns and procedures (Central Specimen Reception) | |
How is work planned? | Accuracy of orders provided (e.g., establishing the meaning of orders) (Blood Bank) |
Work flow management (Clinical Chemistry) | |
Specimen and request collection (Central Specimen Reception) | |
How is work organised (staffed)? | Accessioning orders, providing test results and dispensation of blood products (Blood Bank) |
Staff availability notifications (Central Specimen Reception) | |
Location of activities (e.g. changes to blood collectors work patterns) (Central Specimen Reception) |