Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of six sigma（6σ） management on shortening outpatient coagulation test's turn-around time（TAT） in clinical laboratory. Methods Through the 5 steps（define,measure,analyze,improve and control）,the main causes of outpatient coagulation test's TAT in clinical laboratory delaying were investigated and analyzed,with following pointed improvement measures formulated and implemented. The difference between before and after improvement was compared. Results After improvement,the outpatient coagulation test's TAT in clinical laboratory was shortened from 127.5 min to 66.0 min in median,the qualified rate was increased from 47.0% to 93.9%,and defects per million opportunity（DPMO） was reduced from 53.003 5% to 6.100 2%. Both differences in TAT and TAT compliance rates between before and after improvement had statistical significance（P<0.05）. Conclusions The application of 6σ management shortens the outpatient coagulation test's TAT in clinical laboratory and could help with optimizing the inspection process with the value of promotion in clinical laboratory management.

Key words: Six sigma management, Outpatient, Coagulation test, Turn-around time