Performance evaluation of the introduction of full sample traceability system within the specimen collection process

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and efficiency performances related to the introduction of innovative traceability platforms and integrated blood collection systems, for the improvement of a total testing process, thus also assessing the economic and organizational sustainability of these innovative technologies.

A mixed-method approach was utilized. A key-performance indicators dashboard was created based on a narrative literature review and expert consensus and was assessed through a real-life data collection from the University Hospital of Padova, Italy, comparing three scenarios over time (2013, 2016, 2019) with varying levels of technological integration. The economic and organizational sustainability was determined considering all the activities performed from the tube check-in to the validation of the results, with the integration of the management of the prevalent errors occurred during the process.

The introduction of integrated venous blood collection and full sample traceability systems resulted in significant improvements in laboratory performance. Errors in samples collected in inappropriate tubes decreased by 42 %, mislabelled samples by 47 %, and samples with irregularities by 100 %. Economic analysis revealed a cost saving of 12.7 % per tube, equating to a total saving of 447,263.80 € over a 12-month period. Organizational efficiency improved with a reduction of 13,061.95 h in time spent on sample management, allowing for increased laboratory capacity and throughput.

Results revealed the strategic relevance of introducing integrated venous blood collection and full sample traceability systems, within the Laboratory setting, with a real-life demonstration of TLA economic and organizational sustainability, generating an overall improvement of the process efficiency.