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Biomedical subjects

R S Woods

Publications and source records attributed to R S Woods.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Development of a competency based training programme to support multidisciplinary working in a combined biochemistry/haematology laboratory.

The aim of this study was to develop a competency based training programme to support multidisciplinary working in a combined biochemistry and haematology laboratory. The training programme was developed to document that staff were trained in the full range of laboratory tests that they were expected to perform. This programme subsequently formed the basis for the annual performance review of all staff. All staff successfully completed the first phase of the programme. This allowed laboratory staff to work unsupervised at night as part of a partial shift system. All staff are now working towards achieving a level of competence equivalent to the training level required for state registration by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. External evaluation of the training programme has included accreditation by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and reinspection by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd. The development of a competency based training system has facilitated the introduction of multidisciplinary working in the laboratory. In addition, it enables the documentation of all staff to ensure that they are fully trained and are keeping up to date, because the continuing professional development programme in use in our laboratory has been linked to this training scheme. This approach to documentation of training facilitated a recent reinspection by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd.

Biochemistry↗
PubMed1999

An audit of waiting times in a haematology clinic before and after the introduction of point-of-care testing.

Haematology patients are frequent attenders at haematology clinics either as a result of their illness or their treatment. We identified that waiting times in the haematology clinic were an important quality indicator for patients within the haematology service. In this study we have surveyed 50 consecutive patients in order to establish maximum waiting times in the haematology clinic. We then prospectively audited waiting times against these standards. An evaluation of the introduction of an air-tube transport system for conveying samples to the laboratory combined with the electronic transfer of results back to the clinic in an attempt to reduce waiting times has been compared with the introduction of point-of-care testing in the clinic. Point-of-care testing was introduced by transporting our backup analyser from the haematology laboratory to the clinic on a weekly basis. The tests were performed by nurse specialists who were already in the clinic and had been trained in the use of the analyser. The patient survey resulted in the establishment of a maximum waiting time of 30 min with a longer term aim to reduce this to a maximum of 20 min. The introduction of an air-tube transport system linked to electronic transfer of results, despite repeated audits, could not achieve the waiting time standard. Once point-of-care testing had been introduced, the clinic waiting times consistently achieved the standard that had been set by patients.

Hematology↗