Quality management in clinical laboratories: Appliaction of six sigma protocol

Background and aims: Clinical laboratories have important roles in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Therefore, the acuracy of tests results directly affects the human health. The accuracy of laboratory test results, and completion and reporting in a predetermined time are very important aspects for quality standards. There are various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that prevents the laboratory from reaching these standart targets. These factors constitue the error resources of the laboratory. Laboratory errors are examined in 3 major stages; preanalitic, analitic and postanalitic. Preanalitical stage errors are the most potent errors effecting the services of clinical laboratories. Postanalitical and analytical errors follow them, respectivelyBy the application of six sigma, the degree of the deviation from the targeted values can be converted to a quantitative measurable value in any stage. The error frequency is expressed as ?error count in a million?. The error number decreases as the sigma value increases and increases as the sigma value decreases.Material and Methods: In this study, ?Six Sigma Protocol? has been applied for classification and investigation of errors and their reasons as well as evaluation of method performances of Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcalı Hospital Central Laboratory. In order to study at universal standards, the base line status was established by analysing the resources and frequency of the errors. As a result of detection and classification of the errors, corrective activities, beginning from the most affected processes, have been planned.Results: This study has given the opportunity for elimination of errors potentially harmful for patient health and choosing appropriate internal quality control rules. The contribution of decreased repeat samples to hospital budget has been established. In addition, despite the decrease in laboratory budget of 2006-2007 by the result of change in general budget policies, laboratory profitability was calculated to reach 3,09 from 2,5.Conclusion: Therefore, a high quality services were shown to have positive contribution to hospital budget by decreasing costs due to lackness of quality, despite the costs of corrective activities and actions taken. Laboratory performances were calculated in means of universal criterions and compared with that of other clinical laboratories, as well.