Challenge
Sub-optimal performance in Histopathology and Blood Science Service.
Increasing costs and underachieved TATs leading to potential penalties and deteriorated quality to patients.
Approach
Solve the challenge from a process perspective.
Use Power of Process to complement a performance intervention for a lab. Identify areas for immediate improvement. Ensure success and sustainability.
The Results
£635,000 in realisable savings.
900% return on investment (ROI)
Improved efficiency, Reduced risk and
Quality service to patients
CONTEXT
Nottingham University Hospitals was facing operational challenges that had impacted TAT targets and increased cost, which could have resulted in penalties or, worse, deteriorated access and service to patients.
Power of Process worked with the Trust to address this challenge from a process perspective, providing a holistic view of all activities and associated performance and identifying areas for immediate improvement. Beyond the compelling business case related to financial and TAT targets, there was a need to effectively address service delivery to patients and ensure timely access to tests that are often life-critical.
BUSINESS PROCESS INNOVATION
LTS, as a value-added reseller and consulting partner to the Trust, takes a unique approach to business process re-engineering (BPR), which is underpinned by their proprietary technology PinpointBPS®. This tool allows for the accurate systems simulation of a diagnostics environment, in order to test hypotheses for changes to existing processes and quantify the impact that those changes will have on performance (cost, TAT and quality) before implementation. The simulation provides a safe environment in which to run scenarios and set clear objectives, KPIs and actions for delivering the identified improvement.
“The training material was very relevant to
work within the laboratory environment.”— Power of Process Graduate
Provide certainty in addressing TAT targets through a rectification of the Trust’s current service quality issues.
Meet the Trust’s Cost Improvement Programmes (CIP) target by identifying realisable savings from the blood science service.
Develop an implementation and sustainability plan – owned and managed by the Trust – to realise improvements and savings.
Develop skills and knowledge to ensure the sustainability of improvements.
THE APPROACH
LTS’ BPR service involved several phases that encouraged both participation
of Trust staff and transfer of knowledge to the teams responsible
for the implementation of those changes. The project components included:
Robust Laboratory Performance Improvement Methodology
LTS worked with managers and service leads to outline the project goal and expected outcomes, and gathered relevant data.
Trust staff were trained in the Power of Process, an internationally accredited course created by LTS that simplifies laboratory performance. The four-day certificate provided skills in process mapping, BPR techniques, international standards and best practices, fostering close collaboration between the Trust and LTS, to ensure sustainability of the project.
To achieve an accurate model of the histopathology department and blood science service, the simulation model was built in partnership with the Trust, thereby achieving the immediate transfer of knowledge and gearing for change on the operational floor.
Simulation outputs were reviewed with Trust staff to identify improvement areas and engender staff buy-in to the change management process.
Various improvement interventions were developed with the Trust, which quantified its impact on the quality and financial status of the service. This allowed the Trust to take the most cost-effective, efficient route to improvement.
LTS engaged with the Trust to develop a clear plan for implementation, along with measures of effectiveness.
Target goals and KPIs were identified, highlighting the specifics that needed to be achieved.
THE RESULT
Through the identification of realisable savings of £635,000, the consulting intervention achieved a ninefold/9:1 return on investment (ROI). In addition, the Trust enjoyed savings from improved efficiency in histopathology, reduced penalty risk and increased access to quality service delivery for patients. The consulting intervention achieved these results through three key value areas:
Consulting
Consulting services provided access to international best practices. Qualified engineers and performance specialists could check and challenge assumptions, while providing coaching and support throughout the intervention. The partnership with LTS also allowed access to innovative techniques and analysis methodologies developed specifically for the diagnostics industry.
Technology
Technology provided a foundation for LTS’ consulting efforts. PinpointBPS®, which was used to accurately map and simulate current and future processes in the laboratory, not only tested the viability of the eventual plan of action, but also compared alternative interventions and reduced the risk of failure.
Learning
Training ensured that the consulting intervention could bear fruit in the future. Skills development through the Power of Process programs and courses, coupled with a detailed execution plan, ensured that implementation could be managed and the improvements sustained by the Trust.
What course graduates say:
“The training material was very relevant to
work within the laboratory environment.”
“The literature and training was valid for
my working environment.”
“I was able to work and learn at my own
pace.”
“The course was concise, short and very
interactive.”
“The fact that the facilitator came from a
laboratory background and spoke our
language was valuable.”